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Local News
Dozens of cats removed from house By Gina Childress | Daily Times Staff Writer BLACK CREEK -- A complaint to Wilson County Animal Enforcement resulted in the removal of 47 cats from a home in Black Creek Monday afternoon. A complaint was made Saturday to Animal Enforcement about a very strong odor coming from 312 Mercer St., which is owned by Wayne Evans and rented by Dee Burke. An initial investigation by Deputy T. Myrick Saturday, determined the need for an in-house visit Monday afternoon. "When I got out of my car, and I was parked at the street, I could smell the odor coming from the house," said Maj. Mickey Wilson, the head of county animal enforcement. "It was really bad." Wilson and other animal enforcement officers surveyed the living conditions of the 48 cats, one dog and four adults, and they determined the environment was unsafe. Wilson said the odor inside was overwhelming and the conditions were not sanitary due to cat feces, urine and fleas throughout the home. "Ms. Burke was given a choice," Wilson said. "I told her I could charge her and obtain a court order to remove the animals, or she could surrender them to me. She chose to let us have them." Wilson said that if he had charged Burke she could have paid a minimum of $320 in fines and court costs for each cat. "Ms. Burke and her three adult children were very cooperative and very concerned over the cats," Wilson said. "It was very emotional for them. They helped us load them into the kennels." Although the house was considered unsanitary because of the number of cats in the home, they were not abused. But, none of the cats were current on their rabies shots and most hadn't been to the vet in years, if at all. Once the cats were removed from the environment, Dr. Steven Walker from Countryside Veterinary Hospital examined the cats to determine if it was safe for them to be housed with the other animals at the shelter. During his initial exam most of the cats were found to have ear mites, conjunctivitis and were covered in fleas. "These issues are definitely health concerns," said Walker. "If there are this many fleas on the cats, the occupants of the home are definitely being bitten as well. Fleas can carry diseases." Further testing will be performed today by Walker to determine if the cats have respiratory diseases, AIDS or feline leukemia. If any of the tests turn up positive, then a decision will be made whether or not the cats can be treated, or if they will need to be euthanized. "I'm glad a concerned citizen called us because I'm very concerned about the health and living conditions of the residents as well," Wilson said. "They are very nice people but they looked after the animals better than themselves. I have advised them they could have respiratory issues they are not aware of, and I've told them they should seek medical attention." Wilson has a message for people who love animals and want to take care of as many as they can. "It's wonderful thing that people want to take in animals," said Wilson. "But people need to realize that they cannot take in that many animals, especially in their home. They need to think about their own well-being too. You just shouldn't take on more animals than you can handle safely." gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821
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