The smell is usually the first thing animal rescuers can recall. And that's what hit Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service officers when they arrived at a familiar home in Otis Orchards on March 24.
"It's almost overpowering," said Nancy Hill, director of SCRAPS. "It's pretty typical of hoarding cases."
Eighteen cats were living in an RV parked at the property in the 6200 block of North Idaho Road. Officers found the cats living in "horrific and filthy" conditions, with many of the animals sneezing, their noses filled with mucus, Hill said.
Property owner Carol McMullen said she had no idea who owned the cats when she was interviewed by animal control officers, Hill said.
But McMullen is no stranger to SCRAPS.
In 2004, she was found guilty of 13 misdemeanors related to the inhumane treatment of 61 dogs, cats, rabbits and turtles on her property. Her son, James McMullen, was found guilty of three counts of various poor animal treatment.
James McMullen spent a day in jail in 2005 when officers found he violated his probation by keeping more than 10 animals on his property.
This time, Carol McMullen's daughter, Kelly Covey, claimed to own the 18 cats. Covey arrived at the SCRAPS shelter Wednesday with two dog-carrying crates in the bed of a pickup truck and asked for the cats back, Hill said.
Covey was then charged with 18 counts of confining cats in an unsafe manner and one count of operating an unlicensed commercial kennel, all criminal misdemeanors. Covey told officials that she lived in Idaho, so animal control officers had to release the cats, Hill said. Officials advised Covey that she could not keep the cats in Spokane County and that the animals' medical condition needed attention.
Animal hoarding cases are becoming commonplace, Hill said.
"There seems to be a trend in Spokane County where we've had more cases with multiple animals," she said. "Animal hoarding is becoming a serious issue."
There are alternatives to hoarding animals, Hill said. People who have an interest in helping pets can volunteer at pet shelters, she said.
"People love animals and care about them, but they're just trying to do too much," Hill said. "We have to understand we're making a lifetime commitment."
Animal owners in Spokane County cannot have more than four cats and four dogs on their property unless they have a kennel permit. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | Spokesman Review - March 31, 2006 |
« Back to Search Results
« WA State Animal Cruelty Map
|
