Several law enforcement and animal control agencies uncovered a large number of live and dead cats at a home near here and have pressed charges against the property's two owners.
According to a press release from the Caroline County State's Attorney's Office, officers entered the house at 25571 Lobau Lane, about five miles north of town, and discovered approximately 150 live cats and another 70 dead cats inside the "residential" portion of the house.
Several dozen other cats and approximately a dozen dogs were found outside the home in makeshift kennels. Officials at the Caroline County Humane Society later reported total animals found to be in excess of 350.
Humane Society Director Traci Higdon said that Humane Society of the United States officials, who assisted with the operation, told her the incident was the largest extraction of animals from a home with which they have ever been involved. Higdon said the operation has already cost approximately $5,000, not including several thousands of dollars received in donated materials from the national group and other organizations.
The property's owners, Linda Favre and Ernie Mills, arrived while the search was in progress and were arrested and charged with a felony count of animal cruelty, officials said.
One of the owners said they did not know about the cats located within the house, according to State's Attorney Jonathan G. Newell, who helped in the investigation. Favre and Mills have since been released on personal recognizance.
According to the release, the couple ran the Chubbers Animal Rescue, using the Lobau Lane address for both business and residential purposes, although they allegedly gave Delaware addresses when they were arrested. No humans were believed to be living at the home, which Newell called "uninhabitable."
"We knew there were a lot of animals inside, but I don't think anyone could've anticipated it would be this bad," he said. "A stench of ammonia and decomposition radiated from the building and stopped you in your tracks 20 feet away."
Higdon said Chubbers Animal Rescue was believed to be a legitimate operation, but got overloaded and went awry at some point. One of the humane society workers, Terri Wilkes, called it "a rescue gone wrong nightmare."
Officers from Caroline County Animal Control, the Sheriff's Department, the Department of Natural Resources and Maryland State Police donned hazardous material gear and respirators to contend with a reported 6-inch layer of cat feces and carcasses.
They spent nearly 12 hours documenting and gathering animals at the home, according to the press release. Others at the humane society have been working nearly around the clock to tend to the animals.
The animals are currently being sorted and examined by a team of veterinarians. The overall population is being described as being in "extremely poor health," with several cats suffering from feline AIDS and leukemia.
Donations of medicine, food and kennels already have helped bring some of the cats back to health, according to local humane society workers.
Newell emphasized that the alleged criminal aspect of the case was secondary to getting the animals treated and back to good health. None of the animals will be available for adoption in the near future.
Donations of money or materials to offset the expense involved are appreciated, authorities said. Materials needed include food, litter, disposable litter boxes and newspapers. Professional assistance would also be appreciated.
To make a donation or to offer assistance, contact Traci Higdon at 410-820-1600. Case UpdatesA Harrington (Delaware) couple will spend three months in jail in an animal abuse case in Maryland.
A Caroline County judge also ordered the pair to split three-thousand dollars in fines. They are also barred from owning any pets for five years.
Linda Favre and Ernest Mills pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges in April.
They were living in Denton, Maryland, last year when their landlords found more than 300 cats and several dogs in their home. Prosecutors say many of the animals were sick, starving, and dehydrated. | | |
Linda Favre and Ernest Mills, now of Harrington, DE, each had a separate three-day jury trial scheduled for later this month, said Caroline County State's Attorney Jonathan Newell. Newell said Mills pleaded guilty to two counts of felony animal cruelty and faces up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Favre pleaded guilty to three counts of felony animal cruelty and faces up to nine years in prison and $15,000 in fines, he said.
Once Caroline County Circuit Court Judge Karen A. Murphy Jensen accepted the couple's guilty pleas, the state dismissed the balance of the charges stemming from the incident.
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| The Favres are scheduled be tried together in October and January. Linda Favre and Ernest Mills of Townsend, Del., appeared Friday in Caroline County Circuit Court for a pre-trial conference on a total of 30 animal cruelty, animal neglect and malicious destruction of property charges. | | |
Prosecutors are bringing 26 new charges against Linda Favre and Ernest Mills, who allegedly housed 300 cats and 18 dogs in their Denton, Caroline County home. The animals were reportedly living in squalid conditions, and many were dying or suffering from feline AIDS or leukemia.
Favre and Mills now face 13 felony charges and 13 misdemeanor counts each in addition to the one count each of animal neglect and cruelty already filed against them. If convicted, both people could face 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for each felony. The charges originate from a raid on the couple's home back in May. | | |
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