Deputies said they went to the Hidden Valley Campground on Cortez Boulevard Wednesday after receiving a tip to check on the woman who lived on the lot.
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| Deputies said the metal cages, which normally weighed about five pounds, were so full of newspapers and feces that the cages weighed approximately 70 pounds. (Photo: Hernando County Sheriff's Office) |
When they arrived, they found the lot completely overgrown with grass and plants. An Airstream camper and a tent that measured 10 feet by 10 feet were also on the lot.
The Airstream camper was uninhabitable, as it was overrun with rats and insects, and they quickly determined the woman, later identified as Susan Kay, was living inside the tent, the report said.
When deputies went inside the tent to check on Kay, they said they were overcome by the smell of urine and feces. They noticed several cages inside the tent, each of which contained cats.
An Animal Services officer arrived at the scene to evaluate the situation. The officer looked at the conditions in which the cats were living and deemed it a case of animal neglect.
Deputies said Kay signed a release turning over custody of all of the animals.
Deputies said the metal cages, which normally weighed about five pounds, were so full of newspapers and feces that the cages weighed approximately 70 pounds.
In some cases, the layer of feces and newspaper was a foot thick, deputies said.
Some of the cats had to be removed from their cages before they could be moved.
One of the cats was living on top of a layer of feces that was so high, the cat only had six inches between the feces and the top of the cage to move around in, the report said.
Two of the cats escaped during the transfer process. Another cat was not caged, and the Animal Services officer was unable to capture it. A cat trap was set in case the cats are still in the area.
Kay was cited for 18 counts of animal cruelty.
(baynews9 - July 25, 2013)
