5 dead cats, 28 animals seized from Lakeland home, woman charged: PCSO
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POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Lakeland woman is facing more than 30 charges after officials found 28 live animals and five dead cats at her home on Wednesday.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit responded to the 4000 block of Hedge Drive North regarding possible animal neglect and hoarding.
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They met with the homeowner, Catherine Briley, 66, who said she had 16 cats and one dog inside.
When detectives entered the home, it was littered with piles of junk and debris, large blowflies, and buckets filled with dirty water.
Around 20-25 cats were seen roaming around, some coughing and with green nasal discharge. Litter boxes were overflowing with feces and urine and the house had an ammonia level reading of 10 ppm in the air, and a hydride level reading of 40 ppm, both considered high.
According to an affidavit, the cats didn’t have access to clean, breathable air, causing respiratory distress and suffering.
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The lone dog was seen having trouble walking and standing and had overgrown and curled toenails. The animal was also missing a large chunk of fur and had dermatitis. The animal was taken to a nearby veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.
A search located 27 total live cats, one dog, and five dead cats found underneath a bed who appeared to have starved to death, an affidavit said. All of the animals were found covered in fleas.
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Briley was arrested and charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty, five counts of felony animal cruelty, confining an animal without sufficient food and water, keeping an unpermitted landfill, and keeping a nuisance injurious to health.
“This is the third case since December where we have found a woman who is hoarding animals to the point where they are being neglected and suffering from illnesses,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “The home, inside and out, is also what I would call unlivable. This particular suspect is no stranger to the criminal justice system, having been arrested in the past for various crimes. It is our hope these animals will be rehabilitated and able to be adopted out to loving homes, and that this suspect is no longer allowed to own animals.”
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