Gilbert police spokesperson Jesse Sanger said there were at least 28 expensive cats that Jill Hopper, 45, was breeding and a few are even somewhat famous. Two of her cats were in actor Denzel Washington's movie The Book of Eli.
Hopper is a breeder of Ragdoll, Himalayan and Persian cats.
The Gilbert Fire Department was called to the townhouse in the 1600 block of East Lakeside Drive, near Val Vista and Baseline roads Thursday because of a reported smell of ammonia. They checked the levels and they were much higher than they should have been.
"The smell was overwhelming ... tested air quality, safe is 15 parts ... they read 50 parts inside the residence," Sanger said.
The Gilbert Fire Department has condemned Hopper's home due to toxic levels of ammonia. Cleanup crews had to wear masks and were limited to 15 minutes inside the condominium to work.
Gilbert police said several cats were dead and were packed in an ice chest.
The cats were sold on the website, Dixie Willow Ragdoll Cats [as of 9/27/13, site shut down], but are now going to the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control west shelter.
Melissa Gable with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control said the cats have been taken to a county shelter. She said Hopper has not signed the cats over to the facility so there will likely be a court case.
Police have charged Hopper with animal cruelty.
(KPHO - Sept 26, 2013)
Although she shut down her website, there are still ads advertising her as a breeder on other sites:
Dixie Willow Ragdolls
Breed Type: Ragdoll
Services Provided: Breeding
Description: Sweet, floppy Ragdoll cats and kittens who are spoiled rotten from the very beginning.
Grand Champion bloodlines with a special emphasis on temperament and health; we have all colors and patterns including lynx. Although our Ragdolls have become therapy cats, successful show cats, and made a number of television & movie appearances, they are loved as pets first and foremost.
Kittens and young adults available occasionally to select homes who will spoil them as they have come to expect. :-)
Contact:
Website: www.DixieWillow.com
Name: Dixie Willow Ragdolls
Location: Arizona
City: Phoenix
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