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Charges Filed In Dead Kittens Case Against Monterey County Women

SEASIDE (CBS/AP) -- Monterey County prosecutors have filed charges against two women after authorities found 51 neglected cats in their house and 113 dead kittens in a nearby apartment.

Prosecutors filed felony animal cruelty charges against Donna Johnson and additional neglect charges against her mother Maggie Johnson.

Monterey Cats 1
Some of the 51 cats rescued from one of two Monterey County properties, where 113 kittens were found dead. July 24, 2012.. (SPCA)

Local animal welfare and police officers found the dead kittens on July 24 in a Seaside apartment where Donna Johnson had been living. Authorities say they also discovered cats that were alive but locked in rooms full of urine and feces in the Johnsons' home.

Police investigated after a property manager alerted them about potential hoarding.

SPCA officials say most of the animals had infections and parasites but were recovering.

The women are not in custody and are expected to appear in court September 11.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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