Wearing protective suits and respirators, a rescue team from the Oregon Humane yesterday cleared a path through trash, debris and waste to seize 10 cats from the home of a Lake Oswego resident under investigation for animal neglect. Investigators also removed the bodies of 18 deceased cats that were found on the property at SW Jean Road.
Many of the seized cats were emaciated, dehydrated, and infested with fleas. The area surrounding the single family home was almost impassable due to large amounts of rubbish. Once inside, the accumulation of possessions and trash made it extremely difficult to walk through the home. Deceased cats were located in four different areas of the residence.
The cats were transported from Lake Oswego to the Oregon Humane Holman Medical Center in Portland. The cats will remain in the protective custody of Oregon Humane pending the resolution of the case and are not available for adoption at this time. The day-to-day care of the cats, along with any needed medical treatment, will be provided by Oregon Humane.
The case began last week when the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office referred to Oregon Humane a citizen who suspected neglect at the residence. An Oregon Humane Humane Special Agent met with the reporting party and learned that there were a number of cats not receiving minimum care at the residence. It was also reported that there could be several deceased cats on the property.
An Oregon Humane request for a search warrant was approved by Clackamas County Judge Douglas Van Dyk on August 2. The warrant was executed the morning of August 3 with the assistance of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Under Oregon law, it is crime to fail to provide food, water, shelter and veterinary care to pets. Oregon Humane Humane Special Agents are commissioned by the Oregon State Police to enforce animal cruelty laws throughout the state.
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