Criminal charges could be laid against a Marlborough resident following a raid that uncovered two dead cats and as many as 80 other felines suffering dehydration and malnutrition.
City bylaw officers and the Calgary Humane Society responded to complaints about the infestation of cats inside a home on Marbank Place N.E. on the evening of April 14.
The neglected animals had overrun the squalid house, lurking underneath beds and couches and inside kitchen cupboards, said Bill Bruce, the city's director of animal and bylaw services.
A rank stench wafted from in the house, where cat urine and feces smothered the floor, he said.
"It was disgusting," said Bruce, adding there was no food or water for the cats.
Humane society spokeswoman Cheryl Wallach said the unvaccinated animals were at high risk of disease.
"In these situations, the vast majority of them have health issues," she said.
Wallach is "frustrated" the animals were subjected to such appalling living conditions, but stressed hoarding animals is a sign of mental illness.
Neighbour Sylvia Mitchell said a woman in her 50s lives in the home, but she's out of town visiting family.
Mitchell said she's thankful the cats have been rescued.
"It's pretty sad," she said about their plight.
The cats were lured into cages using sardines as bait and taken from the house, said Wallach.
About 60 felines and a dog were taken to the humane society yesterday to be assessed by a veterinarian, she said.
Staff set more traps and planned to return today to collect an estimated two dozen cats still roaming the residence.
The humane society has taken over the investigation and may lay criminal charges against the resident, said Bruce.
"They'll be looking at cruelty or failure to provide," he said.
A health inspector will tour the house this week to determine whether it needs to be condemned, said Bruce.
Last year, 300 cats were removed from hoarding conditions in the city, said Wallach. Case UpdatesA Calgary woman who neglected 96 cats and one dog living in her home has been put on probation.
Provincial court Judge Allen Fradsham handed a tearful Kerry Donnelly, 50, a suspended sentence Thursday. Besides the probation, for the next 10 years she can't own more than two pets.
Psychological reports concluded Donnelly suffered from a major depressive disorder.
Officials with the Calgary Humane Society said they were satisfied with the sentence.
Donnelly pleaded guilty in November to neglecting her pets.
According to the provincial Animal Protection Act, pet owners must make sure their animals have enough food and water, shelter and space.
Police were tipped off in April 2006 by a friend who had been left in charge of the pets over the weekend. The cats and a small dog were found suffering from sickness, dehydration and malnutrition.
Humane society officials said the house, in the city's northeast, had feces on the floors and stunk of urine. There was no sign of food or water.
All but one cat among the 97 animals had to be put down. | Source: CBC News - May 31, 2007
Update posted on May 31, 2007 - 11:20PM |
A Calgary woman who pleaded guilty to providing inadequate care for almost 100 cats and a dog will have to wait until the end of May before learning her sentence.
Kerry Donnelly was charged under the Alberta Animal Protection Act after the animals were found in her feces-infested home last April.
All but one of the animals had to be destroyed.
Ms. Donnelly appeared in court yesterday where the matter was put over until May 31 to give both sides time to study a nine-page psychological report. | Source: The Globe and Mail - March 22, 2007
Update posted on Mar 24, 2007 - 9:27PM |
As of April 19, 2006, 96 cats had been removed, including five dead, and one dog, said society spokeswoman Cheryl Wallach. Ten of the cats have been euthanized, she said, adding more may need to be put down.
Under the act, Kerry Donnelly faces a fine of up to $20,000 and/or a lifetime prohibition on owning animals. Wallach said the society, which is heading up the investigation, is seeking a prohibition or court-mandated limitation on the number of animals Donnelly can keep, random court mandated inspections of her home, as well as counselling. The Calgary Health Region is attempting to contact Donnelly to inspect her home to determine whether it needs to be condemned, said spokesman James Finstad. | Source: Calgary Sun - April 20, 2006
Update posted on Apr 30, 2006 - 1:53AM |
Police and animal services say the number of cats seized from a Marlborough home now totals 83 after another 11 cats were trapped and removed on Sunday. However, officials say there are still more cats inside that haven�t yet been captured.
The cats have been living in their own urine and feces inside the filthy house, where neighbours say the stench is so strong they can smell it from the street. Neighbours believe the woman who lives at the home is spending the Easter weekend in Vancouver.
All of the cats which have been retrieved are being tested for feline leukaemia, distemper and other illnesses. Some of the cats are sneezing, a sign of respiratory infection. Others have been found to be so sick, they've already been put down. More of the seriously ill cats could be euthanized after a veterinarian checks on their condition on Monday.
Charges of cruelty to animals and failing to provide the necessities of life could be laid against the homeowner upon her return. If convicted, she could face a fine of up to $20,000 and a lifetime ban from owning pets. | Source: CityTV - April 16, 2006
Update posted on Apr 17, 2006 - 3:07PM |
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