Case Snapshot
Case ID: 9260
Classification: Hoarding, Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: cat
More cases in Jefferson County, LA
More cases in LA
Login to Watch this Case

New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!



For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.



Wednesday, Jan 30, 2002

County: Jefferson

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Terri Lynn Rippy

Terri Lynn Rippy of Gretna has been cited with 17 counts of cruelty to animals after 28 neglected cats were found on her property at 618 Chalmette Street, Harvey. Neighbors told the authorities about the run down house and shed.

On Jan 30 the Humane Society of Louisiana investigators entered the home and found the walls and floors of the home covered with feces. The bowls contained dirty water. Twelve of the cats were in dirty cages in a shed near the home. The cats were suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, upper respiratory viruses and diarrhea.

Jeff Dorson of the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter said, "It falls under what we call people who hoard animals. They think keeping an animal alive at all costs is better than giving quality care. In our opinion, they need counseling. It's the only way to break the cycle of what they're doing."

The cats medical problems were not life threatening and none were in danger of dying immediately. "It was just totally unacceptable the way these cats were being housed."

Rippy agreed to give up ownership of the cats. The parish shelter gave 17 cats to the Humane Society and 11 to an unidentified New Orleans man who had given several cats to Rippy thinking she was going to care for them.

The man was very upset by the situation and asked to get back seven cats he rescued and gave to Rippy. He also took the four cats that were born to one of the seven.

The cats need medical care and dental work. The members of Spay Mart are paying for the veterinary examinations and volunteering to care for the cats. Medical expenses will total thousands of dollars.

To donate or volunteer call the Humane Society of Louisiana at (504) 366-8972.

References


« More cases in Jefferson County, LA

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.