A Frostproof, Florida, woman has been arrested on charges of animal cruelty and animal neglect after 164 birds, 142 cats and three dogs were seized from her property by police, who added to the “deadly” levels of ammonia in the home.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that a deputy was dispatched to the home on Dec. 21 to conduct a welfare check on a 75-year-old woman who was reported to be living in a possible “hoarding situation” with cats inside the home.
When the officer arrived, he met 48-year-old Lisa Lacharite in the front yard of the home, where the deputy told him he was there to conduct a welfare check on the older woman, who turned out to be Lacharite’s mother.
Lacharite allegedly told the officer that he was his mother’s carer, adding that she had health problems.
Lacharite asked the officer to wait outside while he went inside to get his mother.
As the deputy waited, he reportedly noticed a strong odor of ammonia outside.
When Lacharite returned 15 minutes later, he told deputies he could go inside and check on his mother.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that a deputy was dispatched to the home on Dec. 21 to conduct a welfare check on a 75-year-old woman who was reported to be living in a possible “hoarding situation” with cats inside the home. Polk County Florida Sheriff’s Office
The deputy first entered an enclosed porch where he saw several wire cages with about 75 chickens, peacocks and ducks, some of which appeared malnourished and sick, authorities said.
When the deputy entered the house, the smell of ammonia was overwhelming, and he reported seeing 50 cats running around the house, climbing on furniture and sitting on the kitchen counter.
Lacharite told deputies she rescues cats and takes care of chickens and birds.
Additional deputies and emergency crews responded to the scene.
The deputy first entered an enclosed porch where he saw several wire cages with about 75 chickens, peacocks and ducks, some of which appeared malnourished and sick, authorities said. Polk County Florida Sheriff’s Office
While there, Polk County Fire and Rescue personnel collected air samples to assess for ammonia, which allegedly measured between 70 and 100 parts per million (ppm.)
Staff advise that anything above 50 ppm is dangerous, and may be fatal to human health, as well as animals.
Lacharite’s mother was removed from the house to avoid being exposed to the situation again.
Lacharite was arrested on five counts of animal cruelty, 304 counts of animal neglect, and one count of neglect of an elder, and was transported to the Polk County Jail.
While there, Polk County Fire and Rescue personnel collected air samples to assess for ammonia, which allegedly measured between 70 and 100 parts per million. Polk County Florida Sheriff’s Office
Lacharite allegedly admitted to deputies he knew the conditions of the residence were not good for humans or animals, adding that he was “overwhelmed” by the number of animals in the home, and that it had become too much to manage.
All of the animals are expected to be evaluated by a veterinarian before efforts are made to help them find new homes.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
