THUNDER BAY - The removal of 41 cats from a city apartment building has resulted in a Thunder Bay woman is facing several animal cruelty charges.
A media release issued by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states a woman living in a Cumming Street apartment building has been charged with seven counts of animal cruelty, including permitting distress, causing distress, and failing to provide adequate and appropriate ventilation, medical attention, necessary care, and sanitary conditions.
A warrant was executed on June 28 by OSPCA officers to assess the condition of the cats reported to be living in the apartment. The warrant also ordered the owner to have the animals assessed by a veterinarian, as well as to clean and sanitize the apartment. The owner failed to comply with the order and a second warrant to seize the animals was sought.
On July 5, OSPCA officers seized 41 animals from the apartment after issuing a warrant for failing to comply with OSPCA orders.
The warrants followed complaints by neighbours about the smell, which led to Thunder Bay Fire Rescue crews responding to the apartment building in late June because of a suspected ammonia leak.
The 41 cats, which included several litters of kittens, were transported to the Thunder Bay District Humane Society where they were assessed by a veterinarian.
The condition of the cats varied, with some suffering severe respiratory infections and some kittens showing signs of birth defects.
The woman is expected to appear in a Thunder Bay court on Aug. 25, 2017.
