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Animal horror found on ranch
15/03/2008 09:13 - (SA)
Pennsylvania - Hundreds of sick and dying cats were removed from a fortress-like sanctuary on Friday in a raid brought on by worried animal lovers and a county worker who infiltrated with a hidden camera.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dead cats were believe buried on the secluded 12-hectare property known as Tiger Ranch Farm, about 32 kilometres northwest of Pittsburgh.
Owner Linda Bruno apparently meant well but lost track of the needs of the animals years ago, said Howard Nelson, director of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which organised the raid.
"I found her to be in denial of the condition of the cats," he said. "It's billed as a sanctuary, but no one person can take care of 750 cats."
Bruno, also known as Linn Marie, 45, was arraigned Friday on animal cruelty charges. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney.
Animal control agents and sheriff's deputies arrived on Thursday night. By midday on Friday, at least a dozen cats had been euthanised at the site and more than 400 had to be medicated due to highly contagious diseases, officials said.
The SPCA got a search warrant after a seven-month undercover investigation in which humane officer Deborah Urmann, working Saturdays as a volunteer, videotaped the operations using a button camera purchased over the internet, officials said.
"She claims she's a no-kill shelter, but really she's a slow-kill shelter," Urmann said.
About 100 cats were living in a building that looked like a construction trailer. It was strewn with blood and faeces and had two doors that enabled the cats to go out into a fenced area. Dozens of cats lived with Bruno in her ranch-style home, too, Nelson said.
"You couldn't even breathe because of the ammonia," Nelson said, referring to the stench of cat urine.
Officials hope to find homes for the cats once they are rehabilitated, said Becky Morrow, a local veterinarian.
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