Wednesday, September 29, 2010

More than 70 animals seized in raid

By Jerome Lessard

A Demorestville home — crawling with more than 70 animals — was raided by the animal cruelty officers and the menagerie is now housed in cramped quarters at the Belleville anumal shelter.

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officer Tex Ridder executed a warrant Tuesday afternoon at a 59-year-old woman's Demorestville-area home in Prince Edward County on County Road 5 near Bethel Road.

Inside 77 animals — 61 dogs, four cats, seven degus, four birds and one turtle — were found in what Ridder described as "unacceptable and unsanitary conditions.

"We had an informant who called our office [Quinte Humane Society]," said Ridder. "We are continuing to investigate and charges are pending against the 59-year-old woman. At first, she didn't seem to understand the balance of the magnitude of the the problem when we went to the house with the warrant. Obviously, she didn't have the necessary funds to look after those animals correctly."

The OSPCA officer added that most of the animals were found inside the house..." More

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