Accused Cat Hoarder Due In Court On Cruelty Charge

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) - A strong odor in a Madison Heights neighborhood led animal control officers to a house containing more than 100 cats.

The homeowner, 58-year-old Steven Kwasiborski, has a court hearing Wednesday on a charge of animal abandonment and cruelty, a four-year felony.

Police say the cats were using the entire house on Hecht Drive as a litter box. The animals were also in extremely poor health and heavily flea infested. Several were found dead.

"Nobody knew," said a neighbor, who did not want to be named. "It's shocking for everybody. You just don't know what's going on."

"Yeah we smelled something but like I said, as Jesus as my witness, we thought he had five cats," another neighbor said.

Police are working with the Oakland County Animal Shelter to remove the cats to be checked by a veterinarian. An appeal is being made to animal rescue groups to accept some of these cats for future adoption.

Kwasiborski has been free on bond since mid-October.

The home has been condemned.