3 accused of hoarding nearly 200 cats in Connecticut home each charged with over 100 counts of animal cruelty

Three adults have been charged with greater than 100 counts of animal cruelty every after near 200 cats have been present in a house in Winchester, Connecticut, again in June, authorities reported Thursday.  

Sixty-one-year-old James Thomen Jr., 53-year-old Laura Thomen and 30-year-old Marissa O’Brien have been arrested Oct. 19 on 106 counts of animal cruelty every, the Winchester Police Division mentioned. They have been additionally every charged with two counts of danger of harm to a minor.

Investigators even have an arrest warrant out for a fourth particular person, police mentioned. 

Authorities first discovered concerning the hoarded animals once they responded to the house, situated in the neighborhood of Winsted, on June 13, after receiving an nameless name a few sick cat. Once they arrived, they “observed a robust odor of urine” coming from the house, police mentioned in a information launch. 

Along with discovering the animals, police discovered eight individuals dwelling within the dwelling, together with the three suspects and two younger youngsters. The kids, a 6-year-old woman and 10-year-old boy, have been instantly eliminated by the state Division of Kids and Households and positioned with kinfolk, in response to police.

Winchester City Supervisor Josh Kelly, who helped set up a rescue of the hoarded animals, mentioned on Fb {that a} whole of 189 cats, two canine and one ferret have been faraway from the house. After receiving veterinary examinations, all the animals have been both adopted or relocated to shelters and rescues just a little multiple month after they have been discovered within the dwelling.

On the time authorities discovered and rescued the animals, the house’s residents advised police that they have been making an attempt to assist the cats, however that issues acquired out of hand, Winchester Police Chief William Fitzgerald mentioned in a press convention in June.

“The homeowners acknowledged that they have been simply making an attempt to assist the animals from freezing exterior, and one (cat) led to a different, and (they) began feeding them, and (it) instantly acquired uncontrolled,” Fitzgerald mentioned.

The suspects who have been taken into custody are scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 1.