Hoarding - 37 sick cats in an apartment
Taunton, MA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 16, 2003
County: Bristol
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Debra Flint
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Authorities found 2 dead cats in an apartment at 14 Randall St. after a resident of the apartment house called to report the home smelled and she could see cat urine seeping through her ceiling.
36 cats were taken from the apartment in individual metal cages. 1 more cat died from injuried it sustained after jumping out of a 3rd floor window through a ripped screen. A parakeet in the apartment also perished after it was attacked by some of the cats.
Utilities to the apartment had been shut off months ago. The tenant did not live in the apartment, only payed the rent for it.
The apartment was a mess. Couches had been ripped by the cats, there was blood on the walls, carpets had been chewed and the bathroom was a "horrow show" according to the police.
The cats are in varied degrees of starvation and dehydration. They are thin and emaciated. Some of the cats exhibited symptoms of upper respiratory infections.
The cats are at the Animal Rescue League at 10 chandler St. in Boston, undergoing medical tests and treatment.
The tenant is under investigation now to determine if she should be charged with animal cruelty. The misdemeanor chages could include 1 count each of causing unnecessary suffering, failure to provide a sanitary environment and failure to provide food and water.
The tenant turned herself into police the morning after the cats were removed from the apartment.
Case Updates| Debra Flint is being charged with animal cruelty, failure to provide sustenance for her 37 cats and one pet bird, failure to provide food and water and failure to provide the animals a sanitary living enviroment. | | Update posted on Jan 9, 2004 - 3:13PM |
References« MA State Animal Cruelty Map
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