HARTLY, Del.- The Kent County SPCA says an investigation has led to the seizure of 52 cats from a property in Hartly.
According to the SPCA, the investigation got under way on June 5, when animal control offiers received a complaint regarding more than 100 live cats and approximately 15 deceased cats on the property located at 391 Enss Road.
An investigation of the property got under way and search warrant was then applied for and granted to search the property of Judy Peterman.
The SPCA said that on Wednesday, June 13, animal control officers, as well as the Delaware State Police and Kent County Code Enforcement, executed the search warrant on Peterman's home.
While approaching the front door, the officers reported experiencing an overpowering smell of ammonia that emanating from the home. Authorities said that officers entered the home and had to work in 20 minute shifts due to the conditions of the home.
According to the SPCA, a total of 52 cats were removed from the property, with approximately another 30 still located outside and in the woods. Twenty-seven of the cats were deceased upon arrival. Both the home and the trailer on the property were condemned and deemed uninhabitable by Kent County Code Enforcement.
An arrest warrant was processed and Peterman turned herself in to Justice of the Peace Court 7. According to the SPCA, Peterman was later released but ordered to not be on the property from 6 p.m.- 8 a.m., not tamper or disable any of the have a heart animal traps set on her property, not to own or possess any animalsand to be mentally evaluated for mental health issues.
