KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -Dozens of cats were discovered Monday afternoon in a Northland residence, officials tell KCTV5.
More than 80 living cats were found while almost 50 dead cats were recovered, officials said Monday evening.
The homeowner was handcuffed and has been arrested by Kansas City police, KCTV5 learned Monday night.
Both Kansas City Animal Control and police are helping with the investigation. More than two dozen cats were discovered in an upstairs area of the home.
Officials say the cats have respiratory problems and many are bleeding from their noses.
City officials say most of the 80 living felines are in extremely poor health. Another 50 or so dead cats were found stuffed in a refrigerator and deep freezer. A dog and ferret were also found.
Animal crates were stacked outside the home by authorities. Officials arrived after 2 p.m. to the home in at Northeast 38th Street and North Bales Avenue.
KCTV5's Heather Staggers says the stench of urine and feces coming from the home is overpowering.
Workers wore air masks and shoe coverings while working inside the home.
A neighbor tells KCTV5 that the resident has been in trouble in the past for hoarding animals. Kansas City employees responded after receiving complaints from neighbors. "It was horrible," Marzella Blackman said. "I can't sit on the deck or have a BBQ. It's really horrible."
Blackman said she and other residents have endured the noxious smells for more than a year. "When you set her trash out, you could smell it," Blackman said. "It was kitty litter and urine on trash bags."
The pungent smells only worsened when the heat soared and the humidity set in this summer.
Officials told KCTV5 that it was one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they have investigated.
Kansas City has declared the home unsafe and is refusing to allow the homeowner back in her House
Authorities say a television was the only furniture in the home and that the homeowner slept on the floor amid the filth from the animals and cockroaches.
Kansas City has a four-pet limit. The city will work to put as many cats as possible up for adoption
More than 80 living cats were found while almost 50 dead cats were recovered, officials said Monday evening.
The homeowner was handcuffed and has been arrested by Kansas City police, KCTV5 learned Monday night.
Both Kansas City Animal Control and police are helping with the investigation. More than two dozen cats were discovered in an upstairs area of the home.
Officials say the cats have respiratory problems and many are bleeding from their noses.
City officials say most of the 80 living felines are in extremely poor health. Another 50 or so dead cats were found stuffed in a refrigerator and deep freezer. A dog and ferret were also found.
Animal crates were stacked outside the home by authorities. Officials arrived after 2 p.m. to the home in at Northeast 38th Street and North Bales Avenue.
KCTV5's Heather Staggers says the stench of urine and feces coming from the home is overpowering.
Workers wore air masks and shoe coverings while working inside the home.
A neighbor tells KCTV5 that the resident has been in trouble in the past for hoarding animals. Kansas City employees responded after receiving complaints from neighbors. "It was horrible," Marzella Blackman said. "I can't sit on the deck or have a BBQ. It's really horrible."
Blackman said she and other residents have endured the noxious smells for more than a year. "When you set her trash out, you could smell it," Blackman said. "It was kitty litter and urine on trash bags."
The pungent smells only worsened when the heat soared and the humidity set in this summer.
Officials told KCTV5 that it was one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they have investigated.
Kansas City has declared the home unsafe and is refusing to allow the homeowner back in her House
Authorities say a television was the only furniture in the home and that the homeowner slept on the floor amid the filth from the animals and cockroaches.
Kansas City has a four-pet limit. The city will work to put as many cats as possible up for adoption