More Than 50 Cats, 8 Dead, Seized From Glen Burnie Home

GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ) — Disturbing discovery. Police in Anne Arundel County find more than 50 cats and kittens living in a filthy home. Eight of them were found dead.

Amy Yensi on how the animals were discovered.

Police say what they found inside a Glen Burnie home can only be described as deplorable. The front steps were smeared in cat feces--a clue to what was inside.

Officers were checking on the home on Monday after the landlord reported a stench.

"And when they started talking to the tenant about the smell and about the conditions of the animals, she closed the door," said Lt. Ryan Frashure, Anne Arudnel County Police Department.

Officers returning with a search warrant called for backup from Animal Control after discovering nearly five dozen cats and kittens. Eight of them were dead and 51 were living in absolute filth.

"The cat urine, possible carcasses from just decaying animals," said Lt. Frashure.

The rescued animals were suffering from malnutrition, respiratory infections, dehydration and other illnesses.

"That many cats and all that in that house? Oh my god. And nobody knew," one neighbor said.

The landlord did not want to go on camera, but lives nearby. She tells WJZ she realized something was off when a contractor she hired to fix the attached townhouse complained about the smell. She then realized the tenant--an elderly woman living alone--had covered the windows so that no one could see inside.

"It's absolutely gross. It's a shame," said Brad Keevan, who manages a nearby property.

The landlord tells WJZ the house is an investment property. She says it's in such bad shape because of the number of cats and the damage they caused, it will take most of her retirement money to save it.

The surviving cats are getting treated by a veterinarian and are in protective custody.

The tenant is under evaluation at the hospital. If she's found to be in good health, she could face charges.

Some of the cats were in such bad shape, they had to be put down. Those that recover will likely be put up for adoption.