That's because, during Huron County Humane Society officials' second raid of the home in less than a week, they weren't able to catch the cat, executive director Nancy Chicotel said.
Ruth Barnett, 61, of 28 Spring St., pleaded no contest in 2011 to animal cruelty in connection with authorities finding about 90 cats in her home.
While she didn't receive jail time, then Norwalk Municipal Court Judge John Ridge placed her on five years of probation and fined her $250.
Barnett's sanctions at the time included having no convictions during those five years and showing proof of counseling. In addition, Ridge prohibited her from owning more than three animals, other than the three dogs owned by her brother and registered to him. Chicotel said the thought was if she owned some animals, Barnett wouldn't scour the neighbor and scoop up multiple animals to keep in her home.
Chicotel has said that she doesn't believe Barnett is mistreating the animals out of spite. Rather, as a hoarder, Barnett believes she's helping the animals. She has referred to them in the past as her "babies," Chicotel added.
"They're everything but," Chicotel told the Reflector for a Dec. 6 front page article.
Shortly before that date, Chicotel and Huron County Humane Society investigator Kathleen Hampton retrieved 34 cats from the property, most of which were "hidden in a dilapidated camper in the back yard."
On Thursday, with the help of Willard Police Department Detective Jeremy Draper, a warrant was drawn up to again search Barnett's home to retrieve any remaining animals.
Chicotel said the most recent search warrant was drawn up because Barnett has violated all of the terms of her probation.
"There were two more cats in less than a week's time," Chicotel said, adding Barnett was cooperative. "It's just a sad situation for them to already be going and getting more animals. She needs help. She is thinking that she's helping the animals and she's not and it is really sad."
But there's been no proof that Barnett has sought mental help, Chicotel said. She declined to say how Barnett is getting animals, other than to say she's getting them "from the neighborhood."
Barnett lives with her two brothers, her nephew and his wife. Chicotel declined to say whether the family members are encouraging her to get more animals.
Chicotel said based on Barnett's conviction on animal cruelty and her probation violations, she and Hampton felt it was best that no animals be present in the home.
The dogs seized Thursday are at the humane society's shelter and will be seen by a veterinarian.
Chicotel said a veterinarian determined that 13 of the 34 cats seized earlier this month had to be euthanized. The Huron County Humane Society operates a "no-kill" shelter; only a veterinarian can make a decision about euthanasia, Chicotel said. The cats who weren't euthanized "seem to be doing OK." A veterinarian is checking them out to determine their health care needs, she said.
"We're going to have to keep an eye on Ruth for sure," Chicotel said.
It's not the only such case in the county.
"You'd be surprised at all the investigations she has going on," Chicotel said, referring to Hampton. "Animal abuse, animal cruelty is alive and well in our county."
She said the humane society is not funded by the county and operates solely through donations, which are always welcome.
The address is 246 Woodlawn Ave. Norwalk, Ohio 44857. For more information, call 419-663-7158.
(Norwalk Reflector - Dec 12, 2014)
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