Lakeland, FL – A Florida woman has been arrested following a grim discovery at her home at 4328 Hedge Drive in Lakeland. According to sources, investigators visited the residence last week after receiving a call about neglected cats and a possible case of hoarding.
The conditions in 66-year-old Catherine Briley’s home were dismal. Polk County animal control officials found dozens of cats, and one badly neglected dog, living in squalor.
Five dead cats were found beneath a bed and the stench of ammonia was strong enough that the authorities were forced to wear respirators to breathe. An additional 27 cats were found inside of Briley’s home.
As reported by WFLA News, Briley’s home was filled with debris, buckets of dirty water, and “large blowflies.”
The dead cats appeared to have died from starvation and all of the animals removed from the home were infested with fleas, with many suffering from upper respiratory infections.
Briley is facing a slew of charges including 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.
Help Put Animal Abusers Away! Sign A Petition To Fight For Animal Justice.
National Animal News Official Merchandise
WTF. Put this women into a psych ward immediately.
This is seriously depraved and sick, she clearly needs a lot of help to live in such a state and neglect animals in this way.