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Case #14694 Rating: 1.0 out of 5
Hoarding - 50 cats abandoned after eviction
New Bedford, MA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Oct 6, 2008
County: Bristol
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Michael Couto
» Gayle S. Couto
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
A couple was charged with animal abuse after leaving dozens of cats behind when they were evicted from their home.
Michael Couto, 41, and Gayle Souza Couto, 50, appeared in New Bedford District Court on Tuesday [Oct 7, 2008].
New Bedford Animal Control officers removed about 50 cats from the home. All of the animals officers said were malnourished and dehydrated.
Crews hired by the bank that foreclosed on the couple's home were left with the task of cleaning up the mess.
"When we got here, the smell was almost unbearable," said Gary Bator of G.A.S. Cleaning. "There was about two inches of fecal matter throughout the entire building on both the first and second floors."
The couple was released on personal recognizance but ordered not to care for the pets.
The cats removed from the home are at area animal shelters where they are being cared for.
Case UpdatesA former city couple admitted to sufficient facts to charges of disorderly conduct and animal cruelty stemming from last October, when police seized dozens of cats and kittens in a putrid South End tenement.
The charges against Michael Couto, 41, and Gayle S. Couto, 50, will be dropped after one year as long as they are not arrested on new charges or violate their probation.
The defendants, both who now live in Warwick, R.I., will pay up to $1,000 in fines and are banned from owning any animals for one year, court records said.
The couple pleaded Monday in New Bedford District Court. Police arrested them in October after neighbors complained of animal neglect and a foul smell emanating from the defendants' tenement at 36 Acushnet Ave.
Animal control officers responded and seized 50 cats, one dog and a rabbit from the property, which was littered throughout with trash and animal waste.
The cats were taken to Habitat for Cats in New Bedford, which provided medical care as well as spaying and neutering.
Most of the cats were subsequently transferred to no-kill shelters on Martha's Vineyard and in Dartmouth and Fall River, as well as Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals facilities in Centerville and Brockton.
At the time of their arrest, Michael and Gayle Couto had recently been evicted after a foreclosure and had slept in a tent in the backyard and inside their car, court records said. | Source: Southcoasttoday.com - Feb 10, 2009
Update posted on Feb 10, 2009 - 2:12PM |
Eleven more cats have been seized at 36 Acushnet Ave. since Monday night, making a total of 50 cats and kittens taken from the South End triple-decker since last week.
Meanwhile, the tenement's former owners, Michael Couto, 41, and Gayle S. Couto, 50, were arraigned Tuesday in New Bedford District Court on charges of disorderly conduct and animal cruelty.
The defendants were released on condition they refrain from owning any animals. They are scheduled to return to court Dec. 9.
Attorney Sean McDermott defended the Coutos, who were recently evicted after a foreclosure.
"It's kind of a sad situation," he said. "They're actually victims of society just as a lot of people were."
Mr. McDermott said most of the 50 cats taken from the tenement did not belong to the defendants.
"They had no control over what animals were there," he said. "According to my clients, they had four cats and one dog."
Animal control officers captured two cats outside the tenement Tuesday morning, but believe there may be at least three or four more lurking about the property.
Thus far, one dog, a rabbit and 50 cats have been seized from the property, which was littered with trash and animal waste.
The cats were taken to Habitat for Cats in New Bedford, which provided medical care as well as spaying and neutering.
Most of the cats were subsequently transferred to no-kill shelters on Martha's Vineyard and in Dartmouth and Fall River, as well as Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals facilities in Centerville and Brockton.
Aura Correia, president of Habitat for Cats, said a few will remain at her facility until they are adopted.
"Surprisingly, the majority of the cats were friendly, which is great for their adoption potential," Ms. Correia said. She said a "great team effort" by volunteers, area shelters and animal control officers made it possible to treat and find shelter for the cats.
Vivian Gela, director of Animal Advocates, which was also involved in transferring the cats to various shelters, said the situation at 36 Acushnet Ave. was a "tragedy."
"It was very heartbreaking to see," she said. "The cats were hungry, scared. I don't think many of them had been outside the house until we got there. It was very sad."
Ms. Gela said people can help by adopting some of the cats and by donating money to Habitat for Cats, which has spent considerable money for medical expenses.
Ms. Gela also urged people to spay and neuter their pets. | Source: South Coast Today - Oct 8, 2008
Update posted on Oct 8, 2008 - 10:55AM |
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