Hoarding - 11 feral cats, 4 dead kittens found
Troy, NY (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Aug 16, 2003
County: Rensselaer

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Mary Ann Whelden

Mary Ann Whelden, 54, was arrested when city officials went to her home on 403 Sixth Avenue to board it up after it had been foreclosed on. The officials found inside the home 4 dead kittens and at least 11 adult feral cats roaming the place and feces everywhere. Garbage was a foot deep in some rooms and there were holes in the floor.

The stench had been a problem with neighbors for many months. Officials found it hard to believe that Whelden had been living in the room until just before they had to board it up for foreclosure.

Whelden as homeowner was arrested and charged in Troy Police court with failure to provide sustenance to the four dead animals.

Whelden faces up to a year in jail if convicted on the misdemeanor.

Troy Animal Control Warden Kevin McDonough said the condition of the house was almost too much for him and the crews sent in to capture the rest of the cats.

McDonough said, "It's quite amazing, I would say the dead kittens had been like that for at least four to six months. You can smell how terrible it is in there. There are feces all over the entire house, including in the bathtub. There are holes all over the floor where the other cats go in and out. We have cages in there and are trying to catch them."

Tricia Sovie and George Switzer said there had been a repulsive odor coming from the house for many months. Sovie and Switzer said last winter the situation was so out of control they had to call the police because a live cat actually froze to the roof of Weldon's house.

Sovie said, "You should have smelled it on Monday. Somehow, it has gotten better. Before they opened it up we just thought she needed to clean up the yard. We didn't know there were dead cats inside. A lot of them are stray cats, you can tell. Some are missing eyes."

References

• Troy Ny Record - Aug 22, 2003

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