An untold number of animals were removed from the home of Westport’s town accountant earlier this month, but have since been returned.

Members of the Westport Board of Health, Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston, Westport animal control and police responded to the 644 Sanford Road home of Nicole Pearsall on Friday, Nov. 8, though there were no arrests and it is unclear what brought them there.

While board of health officials declined to comment on the details of the case, animal control did not return a phone call and e-mail, and police would only acknowledge that they were asked to observe, a spokesperson for the ARL acknowledged last week that animals were removed from the home before being returned at some point later:

“I can confirm that ARL Law Enforcement is in the midst of an ongoing investigation,” spokesman Mike DeFina wrote in an e-mail to the Westport Shorelines.

DeFina wrote that he had been told that a handful of animals were surrendered at the Board of Health’s recommendation, but they “were actually returned to the owners a few days ago.”

Philip Weinberg, of the board of health, would not comment on specifics of the case, saying only that "it's an ongoing investigation. Progress is being made on the Board of Health issues that brought us there."

This is not the first time law enforcement or other agencies have investigated animal issues at the Sanford Road home.

In October 2015, Pearsall, then known as Nicole Botelho, was one of three people charged with six felony counts of animal cruelty after animal control and police were called to the home. There, officers found several dead dogs, a cat and a lizard, as well as sick animals.

Botelho pleaded guilty to the charges in Fall River District Court two years later, and the judge ordered the case continued without finding for 18 months.

Upon Pearsall's promotion to the accountant position in November 2021, town administrator James Hartnett said she was an exemplary employee, with deep knowledge of the town's government that serves Westport well:

“She's pretty much been the go to person if I have any questions," he said. "She's been outstanding. I think it's good that we have some institutional knowledge in that position."