Hoarding - 21 cats removed, others dead Bulls Gap, TN (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 County: Hawkins Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Barbara J Ray

Case ID: 6772 Classification: Hoarding, Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cat View more cases in TN (US) Login to Watch this Case

Authorities have charged a woman with animal cruelty after deputies reportedly found an estimated 40 cats living without food or water, along with several dead cats, inside and outside a Bulls Gap St. Clair Road residence where she had been living.

According to a report filed by deputy James Woods, of the Hawkins County Sheriff�s Department, the woman, identified as Barbara Ray in the HCSD report and Brenda Ray, with a Kingsport address in court records, had recently been evicted from the property. A neighbor of the residence in question contacted authorities on May 25, 2005 to complain about a case of possible animal cruelty. Woods noted in his report the residence, located at 623 Bulls Gap St. Clair Road, appeared to be abandoned and the lawn was overgrown. The deputy estimated more than 40 cats were at the residence, which he described also had a strong odor. The report states a dead kitten was found on a rear deck along with several empty food and water containers. Woods also stated he could see additional cats inside the residence through a sliding glass door.

According to the deputy he made contact with the property owner, who lives in Church Hill, and the following day Woods and the landlord met and entered the residence. �We made entry to the home and found trash everywhere. The odor of ammonia was overpowering to the point of being deadly,� Woods� report states. According to the deputy the Bulls Gap Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene to provide breathing apparatus in order to continue the search of the residence. Woods noted additional dead cats were found locked inside the residence and the floor was littered with trash and animal waste.

The deputy said the Hawkins County Humane Society was contacted and traps and cages were used to collect cats, with a total of 21 removed from the property. According to the report many of the remaining cats appear to be �wild� and others were described as �sick and will have to be euthanized.� The deputy said he talked to Ray and she asked about retrieving property from the residence, with the deputy telling her she was entitled to collect any personal items. �I also advised Ray that she would be summoned to court for animal cruelty, that no food was found and that dead cats had also been found,� Woods stated. The deputy said Ray told him she had been trying to feed the cats and �that she had been putting out approximately 60 pounds of food and five gallons of water.�

Ray is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County General Sessions Court on June 8, 2005.

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References

The Rogersville Review - June 2, 2005

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