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Case ID: 13280

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat

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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #13280 Rating: 1.7 out of 5

Hoarding 75 cats
Palm Springs, CA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008
County: Riverside

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Douglas Barker

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Animal control responded to an eviction at the apartment complex and discovered the renter maintained and kept 75 cats inside his two apartments. The suspect rented two studio apartments one with a kitchenette and one with out. He had knocked a 2" X 4" hole in the wall between the two units so he and the cats could go back and forth.

Almost a year ago, April of 2007 Mr. Barker told animal control that he had 12 cats and 6 kittens. The suspect did not want to release any at that time since he stated animal control would kill them. When animal control entered the apartments on 2/20/08, they found the cats all either feral or semi feral running between the apartments, living under broken feces-ridden and urine-soaked broken furniture, clothing and miscellaneous debris.

The first day animal control removed 32 cats from the apartments and on 2/21/08 the last 43 were removed. All of the cats ranged between ages of 3 months and several years. Fortunately, none have obvious signs or symptoms of disease or illness. The suspect is a single white male adult and has held a job as a taxicab driver in the past. He is being charged with cruelty.

Case Updates

References

• Palm Springs Police Department - Animal Control Services - Case #0802P-4116

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