Hoarding 53 cats
La Pine, OR (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Apr 26, 2003
County: Deschutes
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged:
» Robin Leal
» Nicholas Leal
Deschutes County sheriff's animal control officers and the Humane Society of Central Oregon rescued 53 emaciated, starving cats Saturday evening from a mobile home in La Pine, where crews said the stench was so bad, they had to wear masks and gloves.
Robin and Nicholas Leal, cited for the Class A and B misdemeanors Wednesday evening by Deschutes County sheriff's Technician Mike Sundberg, "are apparently not your typical (animal) hoarders," said Troy Kerstetter, animal welfare director for the Bend-based agency.
"The couple said they had only two cats two years ago, and never got them altered – and this is what happens," Kerstetter said. "This is why we preach spay and neutering constantly."
A telephone report of possible animal neglect or abuse on Saturday led Deschutes County sheriff's Technician Mike Sundberg to visit a home in the 15000 block of Blue Bird Lane, south of Burgess Road in La Pine. Sundberg said the caller reported seeing a large number of cats confined to the single-wide mobile home, and said that they appeared to be suffering from starvation.
Sundberg found what he first estimated were 30 to 60 cats, apparently suffering from severe neglect. More sheriff's office units and the humane society were called in to assist in the case, and the cats' owners agreed to turn over all of the animals to the Bend-based humane society, which evaluated and treated them for dehydration and malnutrition.
Two veterinarians, Drs. Gwen Schneider and Greg Ertz, donated their services to assess the cats' health, and all were found to be emaciated, dehydrated, malnourished and starving, with 10 in need of critical care. Others involved in the cats' assistance, working to midnight, included Sundberg's wife, Shawna, animal control Officer Mark Ereth, Caroline Ertz and Mark Postle.
The examinations found adult cats weighing only 1.75 pounds, when a normal cat of that size should have weighed at least eight pounds.
"All of the cats are 50 to 75 percent below normal body weight," Schneider said. As both a veterinarian and registered nurse, Schneider said she had "never seen an animal or person that exhibited such a savage need for food. It is beyond the concept of starvation."
"We give out free food for those who come upon hard times, so for us, it's even harder to understand," the shelter official said.
According to Kerstetter, "Despite the horrible conditions of starvation and filth, most are amazingly friendly and will make good companions. Most of the cats are under 2 years of age and truly deserve a chance to live in a caring home." None are kittens, according to Ouchida, who noted that a three-legged cat that had gone to a vet for the leg to be amputated was one of just two that had been neutered.
"They are all pretty much under 2 years of age, which is good – a real adoptable age," People interested in giving one of the cats a loving home are asked to call (541) 382-3537, or visit the Humane Society at 61170 S.E. 27th St.
The public also can help with monetary donations for the cats' care, including diagnostic tests, medications, veterinary care and special dietary supplements, Ouchida said. Premium dry and canned kitten food also is needed to help in the cats' recovery. Donations can be made at the Humane Society's Web site, http://www.hsco.org or by calling or coming to the shelter.
All of the cats will need to be vaccinated, de-wormed, bathed and spayed or neutered, but some will need much more, officials said. "The greatest need is to be able to help those requiring critical care, but the veterinary and medical care is expensive," Kerstetter said. References« OR State Animal Cruelty Map
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