More Than 2 Dozen Sick Cats Rescued From Home In Santa Ana Hoarding Investigation
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A Santa Ana woman faced criminal charges Tuesday after dozens of sick cats were removed from what authorities said were deplorable living conditions inside her home.
The Santa Ana Animal Services Department served an arrest warrant at the home of Mary Edgecomb in the 1200 block of West St. Andrews Place and seized 21 cats, three of which were kittens, as part of a cat-hoarding investigation.
Officials explained the hoarding situation and filth inside the home was so bad that it caused the cats to have upper-respiratory problems, eye infections and left them covered in fleas.
CBS2's Michele Gile spoke with Sondra Berg, the Orange County Animal Services supervisor, who described the living conditions inside the home.
"Everything in the living room, kitchen and dining room areas are completely covered in cat feces and urine," said Berg.
Berg added the cats used these rooms because their litter boxes were full.
"The ... floors are saturated," Berg explained. "When you walk, you slip because it's so wet."
Gile reported it was an emotional morning for Edgecomb, as she was swearing and irate with officials and seen crying moments later.
Edgecomb explained to Gile that the seizure of her pets disrupted the morning, and she was unable to attend a final exam for one of her college classes.
Authorities consider this to be a severe case of animal neglect; however, the cause of the incident did not stem from Edgecomb owning too many animals.
All the cats appear to be well enough that shelter veterinarians will be able to bring them back to health so they can be adopted. Authorities clarified the cats will not be put down.
Police explained they plan to present the case to the Orange County District Attorney's Office to request animal-neglect charges be filed against Edgecomb.