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Hoarding - 164 dead, diseased and starving cats
Seaside, CA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 23, 2012
County: Monterey
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Donna Johnson
» Maggie Johnson
A Monterey County woman and her elderly mother were charged Thursday with multiple counts of animal cruelty and neglect after investigators found two homes in Seaside crammed with 164 dead, diseased and starving cats, authorities said.
The 51 living cats were being kept in a house and a nearby apartment in filthy and cramped conditions with insufficient food and water, said Terry Spitz, a spokesman for the district attorney.
Based on a tip, authorities visited the homes last month and seized the living cats. Prosecutors said 113 dead cats were found in the homes.
The resident, Donna Johnson, 45, was charged with three felony counts of animal cruelty. She and her mother, Maggie Johnson, 79, were also charged with three misdemeanor counts each of animal neglect.
The seized cats are recovering at the Monterey County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Spitz said. Four of the cats had to undergo surgery for serious infections, two others had to be euthanized and one died of unknown causes, the animal agency said.
Both women have been released from custody and are scheduled for a court appearance on Sept. 11. The cats will remain under the animal agency's care until the criminal case is resolved. References |
