Salinas Woman Sentenced To 3 Years Probation For Hoarding Diseased, Decomposing Cats
SALINAS (CBS SF) -- A Salinas woman pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty on Thursday in a case that involved pet cats found in varying stages of decomposition and diseased conditions, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's office.
Janet McManama, 72, appeared before Monterey County Superior Court Judge Andrew Liu and was charged with failing to provide proper care and attention to her cats.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officers were alerted to the situation in November of 2013 when a complaint was made regarding an excessive number of cats being kept under poor health and living conditions at McManama's two-bedroom home, according to the district attorney's office.
SPCA investigators discovered a number of cats living the home, which had floors covered with fecal matter and a strong smell of urine, according to the district attorney's office.
Investigators also found dead cats decomposing throughout the McManama's property, the district attorney's office said.
Humane officers conducted a search warrant on Nov. 14 in 2013 where they entered wearing haz-mat suits for protection, according to the district attorney's office. Officers located 13 cats suffering from diseases including ear mites, fleas, and upper respiratory infections, the district attorney's office said.
The SPCA euthanized two cats following the rescue due to their poor condition.
McManama was sentenced to three years of probation, during which time she is ordered not to possess, own, control, or have custody of animals.
She was also ordered to pay restitution including the costs of providing care to the animals seized. The amount of the restitution is currently unavailable, prosecutors said.
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