Another two dozen cats were still believed to be in the home in the 3100 block of South East Avenue late Tuesday afternoon, according to Cicero Animal WelfareDepartment manager Michael McKee, who runs the shelter where the animals that were removed were taken.
Berwyn police Cmdr. Michael Cimaglia described the home as uninhabitable. A neighbor said a family of three lived there, including a woman who volunteers at animal shelters.
Animal control workers set up traps inside and outside the house to catch the remaining animals. The residents apparently are hoarders, which is making it difficult to catch the remaining animals, McKee said.
"There is debris and stuff everywhere in the home," McKee said. "The odor of animal feces and urine was terrible in there."
McKee said animal officials were able to corral some of the cats and dogs into one room Monday before taking them to the shelter. He said a veterinarian was examining the animals.
"If they are healthy, our goal is to find homes for them," McKee said.
Cimaglia said some of animals appeared sickly.
Berwyn police went to the home after getting complaints from neighbors.
Rita Feliciano, a neighbor who lives across the street, said a married couple live there with a teenage daughter. She said she felt bad for the mother.
"She's a very nice person," Feliciano said. "She loves animals, but you can't live like that."
No charges had been filed as of late Tuesday afternoon.
(Chicago Tribune - July 11, 2012)
