Thursday, March 19, 2015

Durham County man, Hector Balaga, charged with 61 counts of animal cruelty

NORTH CAROLINA -- A man was arrested Wednesday after refusing to surrender more of his five dozen cats.

In January, a neighbor contacted Animal Services to report a foul smell coming from Hector Balaga's home on Bill Poole Road.


When investigators arrived, they found many cats in ill health housed in small wire cages under a "carport-like structure."

That month, Balaga voluntarily surrendered nine of his cats - five on Jan. 22 and four on Jan. 26. Balaga, 75, was arrested Wednesday after refusing to surrender any more of the 61 total cats.

All of the cats were evaluated, and most had to be euthanized because of medical issues. A few were sent to a cat rescue organization.

Balaga was held at the Durham County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.

(WTVD - March 17, 2015)

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