Kenneth Epstein, 55, is facing charges of failure to register a pistol, unjustifiable injury to animals, failure to have a cat fancier's license, violation of the city's fire code and public nuisance.
The state of Nevada, the Clark County Health District, Metro Police and a private contractor have worked since last week to clean out the house, filled to the ceiling with hoarded items. Epstein, who could no longer get into his house, was sleeping on his porch.
City animal control officers also impounded 40 cats from the home. A family member of Epstein also turned into another nine cats from the house to the Lied Animal Shelter. Of the 40 cats, at least 19 were euthanized because they all had highly contagious upper respiratory infections. Fifteen dead cats were also removed from the house.
The remaining cats were being held at the shelter.
Clean up crews disposed of several large bins of trash, including dead animals, insect-infested items, feces, rodents, decaying food and other contaminated items since Oct. 5.
Neighbors had complained to the city of the foul smells coming from the home and the trash piling up in the yard.
(8newsnow.com - Oct 12, 2012)
