Hoarding - 47 cats seized, several found dead Matteson, IL (US) Date: Jun 20, 2006 County: Cook Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Thomas Horvath

Case ID: 9190 Classification: Hoarding Animal: cat View more cases in IL (US) « Back to Search Results Login to Watch this Case

A 56-year-old Matteson resident was charged with animal cruelty Wednesday June 21, 2006 after some 40 cats were rescued from among the bodies and skeletons of dozens more felines inside and outside his house.

A neighbor complained of a foul odor at the home of Thomas Horvath in the 5400 block of Georgetown Drive. Phyllis Piunti, investigator with the South Suburban Humane Society, said she went to the house Tuesday June 20, 2006 and immediately called police after seeing the dead cats and noticing fecal matter "all over the home."

After she opened the front door, many friendly cats came out, she said. A total of 25 were taken to the Humane Society in Chicago Heights. Investigators returned Wednesday in hazardous materials suits and removed 18 more cats.

Another 15 were running around outdoors, for a total of 58 felines, and Humane Society personnel have been trying to round them up, Piunti said.

Matteson Police Chief Norm Burnson said officers found rotting cat carcasses outside and inside the home of Horvath, who lives alone. Bond was set for Horvath at $1,000 on charges of cruelty to animals and being an animal hoarder.

Dead cats of different breeds were found under beds and couches, Piunti said, and about 20 cats were buried outside. Cat skulls littered the yard.

"It looks like he just threw them out the door," she said. "In my 26 years at the Humane Society, this is the worst case I've ever had to deal with."

Many of the rescued cats were suffering from conditions such as feline leukemia and upper respiratory problems, and were severely malnourished with blotchy hair patches and bloated stomachs, Piunti said.

"Some were literally dying when we brought them out of the house," she said. "The ones that can be treated will be put up for adoption. The ones that are too far gone will have to be euthanized."

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References

	Chicagotribune.com
	Daily South Town - June 22, 2006

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