48 cats seized
Austin, TX (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 8, 2007
County: Travis
Charges: Summary
Disposition: Civil penalty imposed
Defendant/Suspect: Kelley Saveika
The director of an Austin animal rescue group must put up for adoption most of the 48 cats seized at her home this month at her expense, a Travis County justice of the peace has ruled.
Another rescue worker had reported possible animal cruelty at Kelley Saveika's home in the 6900 block of Lovely Lane, near East William Cannon Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road in Southeast Austin. On Nov. 8, Austin police seized dozens of cats, said Lisa Starr, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Austin.
Among the animals was a cat that had been left to die in a closet for more than a month, said Starr, who attended a hearing on the case Friday. Another cat died within 24 hours of being taken to Town Lake Animal Center. The cats lacked access to water except for the home's toilet, Starr said, and feces were strewn throughout Saveika's home.
Saveika, director of Rescuties Animal Rescue, was cited for animal cruelty. She was ordered Friday to pay the Town Lake Animal Center $2,322 for taking care of the rescued cats.
At the Friday hearing, Justice of the Peace Raul Gonzalez said Saveika should seek psychological counseling. In his ruling, he said Saveika had been cruel to the cats by "unreasonably depriving them of necessary food and water, improper care and shelter and confining them in a cruel and unhealthy manner."
Gonzalez said Saveika could keep three of her cats. The rest were given to Town Lake Animal Center, which found shelter for 14 at a sanctuary, and to the Humane Society, which has 28.
"We want to see as many of these cats get adopted as possible," Starr said. "Hopefully, (Saveika will) be able to get the help she needs, and she'll be able to take care of the cats she has." References | Austin American-Statesman |
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