The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Police were contacted in February, 2011 about a foul animal odor coming from a house on their street. Officers arrived to the overpowering smell of urine and feces. Besides the floor and other surfaces soaked with cat urine and droppings, the house was infested with both fleas and flies.
The officers entered the home wearing masks, but had to leave upon feeling ill and returned with full hazmat body suits and respirators. They found two children in the home, one who used a couch as a bed, with at least one child having scratches on her arms and legs. Two adults had cat feces on their feet as a result of walking barefoot in the home.
Officers captured 110 cats inside the home, 20 of which were in such poor health they had to be euthanized.
An elderly grandfather was allegedly running an illegal cat-rescue operation out of his home that resulted in these living conditions. After his arrest, he pled to a plea bargain that keeps him out of jail, but requires probation officials to visit his home monthly to ensure that the living conditions are safe. The four other adults in the home were charged with child endangerment, two of which were also charged with a felony count of animal cruelty. They have pled not guilty to these charges.
If you or a loved one are arrested for animal cruelty or child endangerment charges, contact Irvine criminal lawyer Staycie R. Sena for a free consultation at (949) 477-8088.