Hoarding - 46 mice, 15 cats and kittens
East Chicago, IN (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Dec 20, 2007
County: Lake
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Celeste A. Siurek
Lake County police said Thursday they rescued dozens of cats and pet mice from a woman already on probation for animal cruelty.
Celeste A. Siurek, 59, of 918 151st St., East Chicago, could face incarceration if found guilty of violating a court order forbidding her from keeping any animals in her residence.
Lake County police Detective Michelle Weaver said Siurek's neighbors complained to police about the animals being a nuisance and expressed concern about their health.
Weaver said she went to Siurek's apartment and found 46 white mice, 15 cats and kittens, a dog and hamster living in filth. April Godra, community liaison for the county animal control center, said some of the cats are ill.
Weaver said Siurek cooperated with authorities but didn't offer any explanation as to why she had the animals in her apartment.
Weaver said she will report her findings to Siurek's probation officer before deciding whether to file additional criminal charges against Siurek.
Lake Superior Court Judge Sheila Moss placed Siurek on two years of probation in June following Suirek's guilty plea. Those charges followed a raid by animal control in March 2006 on her previous residence in Lowell, police said.
In that case, investigators said they found eight dogs and one cat living amid feces and garbage.
Authorities said Siurek also served jail time in 1997 for animal cruelty after authorities removed about 250 animals -- 41 of them dead -- from her father's former home in Highland. Police said they returned to the Highland home four years later and removed nearly 70 more animals References
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