“Twenty of them which were dead and all that was really left was just a mummified shell, and then 25-live cats that we removed from the home and we brought down to the shelter,” says Sgt. Jim Butler with the Des Moines Police Department.
One police photo shows the body of one of the mummified cats, really just a kitten, found near a soda pop can. “Originally we thought maybe this was a mouse or a rat but we talked with our officers who said that was in fact a cat that was dead,” Sgt. Butler says.
The surviving cats were taken to the ARL shelter to be checked out. Neighbors say homeowner Leland “Tony” Moffitt is a recluse who seldom leaves the house. Bob Muhm lives across the street.
“I can’t imagine. How many did you say, 46? Forty-five cats and half of them are dead. Mummified. That’s weird,” Muhm says.
Moffitt is charged with four simple misdemeanors for having too many animals and not having them licensed.
“None of the dead or alive cats had licenses or rabies vaccinations so he certainly could have had close to 60- separate charges filed out on him, however I only elected to file four charges on him,” Sgt. Butler says, “Unfortunately (the) city of Des Moines ordinance does not provide any greater penalty than a simple misdemeanor.”
The ARL shelter is in need of cat food donations to take care of the survivors. If you would like to help out, you can drop off dry or canned cat foot at the ARL Offices, 1615 SE 14th St, Des Moines.
(WHOTV - Nov 25, 2014)
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