More than 10 cats, two dogs and animal feces smeared on the glass of a storm door greeted Washington County Sheriff's Deputies serving a health inspection warrant on the morning of April 1.
In all, 50 cats and the two dogs were taken from the home at 19563 County Road P4 by the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha.
The home, owned by Katrina Madison, who lived there with two high school-aged children, was declared uninhabitable for health reasons by Sheriff Michael Robinson, also the county health officer. Nobody can enter the home without prior approval from him.
"It's bad. It's bad," said Capt. Tom Lamb after he examined the inside of the two story house. "I have not seen a part of the house without fecal matter all over it.
"As a law enforcement officer and father, I'm appalled," he said. "I find it incredible that children were being raised and living in these conditions."
The sheriff's office was notified about the problem by Tekamah-Herman High School officials.
"Just looking through the door (on initial inspection), I saw 18 or 19 cats," said Investigator Kevin Willis.
"Right now any animals that appear to show signs of sickness and have no record of inoculation will be seized for the welfare of the animals and the occupants of the home," Lamb said. "It's an animal neglect case."
It took the Nebraska Humane Society workers about two hours to remove all the cats and dogs and load them into vehicles to receive veterinary care.
Tina Updegrove, field supervisor and lead cruelty investigator for the Nebraska Humane Society, said the owner signed all of the animals over to them.
"You can't walk anywhere without stepping on something," she said. "You can't let animals live like this, much less people."
While many of the animals appeared to have upper respiratory infections and eye problems, Updegrove said, most could be saved.
"The ones that are sick, we'll see what we can do," she said. "It doesn't appear to me she has ever gotten rid of any (kittens). This problem didn't take more than a few years to get this far along."
Severely sick animals that long-term care won't help may be euthanized after being examined by a veterinarian.
"We'd like to save all of them," Updegrove said. "We'll always make room, but when there's an extra 40 animals all at once, it's very taxing on us."
Pictures will be taken of each animal and combined with a summary of their veterinary problems for the Washington County Sheriff's Office to submit to the county attorney for consideration of legal action.
"The house has been condemned for health issues," Lamb said. "She's going to be given 30 days to clean it up then have to contact the sheriff for re-inspection, but nobody's allowed to live here because of health violations. If anybody is found residing here, they are in criminal violation."
He said the warrant was validated by the evidence in the home.
"We are now working an active animal neglect case," Lamb said. "We feel we have probable cause because the 50 cats were not receiving proper medical care."
Reports also will be passed on to Nebraska Health and Human Services officials.
"That's standard practice to make sure the kids' basic needs are being met," Lamb said. "It's obvious there's not a healthy, sanitary environment being provided."
Structural, electrical codes and fire hazards also were being evaluated.
There was at least a foot of standing water in the basement that officials feel may be the result of a backed-up septic system.
"There mother has custody, so she has to take them somewhere else to live," he said. "They can't live here because of the environment, which is our concern." Case Updates| Katrina Madison pled no contest on 08/03/2005 to 1 count of cruelty to Animals and 1 count of child abuse/neglect. | Source: Washington County case #CR 05-0000424
Update posted on Aug 30, 2005 - 4:50PM |
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