Woman who kept 26 cats, 6 dogs, other animals inside home arrested for alleged animal cruelty

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A woman who was keeping 26 cats, six dogs, two rats, two caged squirrels and a blind owl inside her house in Connecticut in the United States has been arrested over animal cruelty charges.

The animals, which were found in poor condition, have since been taken in by authorities, as per CBS affiliate WSFB on Dec. 16.  Donna Scirocco, 59, turned herself in earlier this week and was charged with six counts of animal cruelty.

During the Oct. 26 search of her home, officers from the Hamden Police Department “were greeted by 2 large rats,” according to a release on the said date. Taxidermic animals were also found inside the said home.

Among the many animals found inside Scirocco’s home were three deceased animals including two cats and a woodchuck, police said. Of the six dogs, one was found “lifeless.”

The search and seizure warrant “was the result of an extensive investigation by the Hamden Animal Control Division,” according to Hamden police.

In an email to the New Haven Register, Capt. Ronald Smith confirmed that Scirocco was arrested as a result of the Oct. 26 investigation of her residence, which police deemed “uninhabitable.”

Scirocco has since posted a $5,000 bail and is set to appear in court again on Feb. 5 next year. Ian Biong /ra

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