Hoarding - 29 cats, 8 dogs
Lilburn, GA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Mar 29, 2002
County: Gwinnett
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Sharon Smith
Workers in protective gear cleaned up a Gwinnett County home Monday where 29 cats and eight dogs were found living in filth.
Authorities say 48-year old Sharon Smith lived in the home with 29 cats and eight dogs. Many of the animals were so sick, they had to be put to sleep. The pets waste had accumulated on the carpet, furniture, and the floors over a lengthy period of time.
Smith was charged with felony animal cruelty on March 29. Her family says she is out on bail and receiving medical and mental health care.
Smith's brother told 11Alive News that the house on Linda Lane in Lilburn is owned by his father and that his sister was the caretaker. He said family members knew Smith had pets, but thought she only had a handful.
The filth inside the home was hazardous enough that cleanup crews wore suits typically used in chemical hazards. They wore masks, fearful of potential respiratory infection from a high concentration of ammonia.
Some neighbors said they hoped the home would be razed because of its condition. The family has chosen instead to clean it up at their own cost. References« GA State Animal Cruelty Map
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