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LAS CRUCES (AP) — A Chaparral man disputes allegations that he hoarded 52 diseased and underweight cats that were removed from his home last month.
The Las Cruces Sun-News quotes Charles J. Gonnell as saying he didn’t do anything wrong and that he and his wife owned five cats but allowed neighborhood strays to come and go as they pleased on his property.
Authorities say they are prepared to charge Gonnell and his wife with animal cruelty because of the poor health that authorities say the cats were in.
Authorities say they found three dead kittens inside Gonnell’s home and that 21 cats had to be euthanized because they were in extreme pain and suffering from malnutrition and neglect.
Gonnell disputes allegations that the cats were emaciated, sick and lethargic.
Read the original story from Friday’s paper: “Malnourished Cats Recovering in Animal Hoarding Case”
