ohmidog!

The Cecil County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. has removed 23 dead cats from a residence outside Chesapeake City, Maryland.

Acting on a complaint about possible cat hoarding in the 900 block of Town Point Road, animal control officers  determined there were at least 100 live cats in the home, and advised county buildings inspectors and Sheriff’s Department officials of the situation.

The agencies went to the home and removed 23 dead cats– wrapped in towels, diapers and plastic bags– all kept in freezers in the house, according to CCSPA officials.

The owner of the cats claimed she was affiliated with a Delaware cat rescue organization.

The house had an overpowering smell of urine, and animal feces were seen on floors, CCSPCA said. Otherwise, there was adequate food and water for the cats and multiple litter pans available on each floor of the house.

Most of the animals appeared to be in adequate medical condition but an upstairs room bore a sign indicating that cats in that room were positive for feline leukemia, a highly contagious, untreatable condition that leads to medical complications and premature death in cats, the CCSPCA said.

After Cecil County building officials indicated the premises might not be fit for habitation on Friday, CCSPCA officers supervised removal of the remaining cats to another building on the property .

The owner declined to sign over custody of the animals to the CCSPCA. She stated she had 85 cats and 25 kittens who were alive on the property.

CCSPCA said it removed the dead animals from the house for public health reasons.

In follow up visits by CCSPCA on Saturday and Monday, conditions at the house had been improved significantly. On Monday morning, a Cecil County buildings official determined that the house was fit for habitation and some of the cats were allowed to return to the house.

As of early Monday afternoon, CCSPCA Animal Control officers were returning to the site to further review conditions. In addition, CCSPCA has been trying to verify the owner’s claims to be affiliated with a Delaware cat rescue group and to determine whether that organization is the legal owner of the cats in question. So far, the rescue organization has not responded to repeated calls.

State and Cecil County laws do not set specific limits on the number of cats that may be housed in a home. However, health and public nuisance laws may apply to properties that pose a threat to public health and welfare. CCSPCA is consulting with legal authorities to determine what if any charges may apply to the situation.