The house located on South River Street is in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Polk County community. It has been called a major health hazard and has been condemned. Nearly 400 cats were found in the home last week, some of the cats were dead and others living amongst piles of trash and feces.
Three people lived in the house including the daughter-in-law and granddaughter of the Swedish immigrant who built it about 1876. The occuptants are expected to be charged this week with animal abuse and possibly other counts by the Polk County District Attorney.
Dorothy Weinhardt, 86, a retired county health care nurse, lives in the home with her daughter, 47, and son-in-law 52. They have all moved out of the house and are said to be living in a local hotel.
An Xcel Energy worker noticed sick cats and inches of feces and contacted the police. The police got a search warrant. The discovery of about 400 cats living in the home under horrid conditions, this led to the house being condemned.
Officials said on Monday the actual count of cats removed from the home was 397.
A Tufts University veterinarian and founder of the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium said often people who "collect" animals are said to be well-intentioned but that in trying to help, they ultimately do harm.
"There is a disconnect in what they say and do. It's not about helping. It's about satisfying a human need by acquiring and controlling animals to fill a hole, for whatever reason in their life." Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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