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October 29, 2009

Woman faces 22 counts for neglect of cats

22 neglected cats taken from Plattsburgh home

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — A local woman has been charged with 22 misdemeanor counts for alleged mistreatment of her cats.

State Police arrested Elly M. Andrews, 42, formerly of 10 Overlook Circle, Plattsburgh, and currently of Keeseville, on 22 counts for alleged failure to provide proper sustenance and care, as described under New York Agriculture and Markets Law.

New York State Police Trooper Thomas S. Houle and Town of Plattsburgh Dog Control Officer David Duquette were called to the single-wide trailer that Andrews had rented in the Maple Pond Trailer Park on Wallace Hill Road the evening of Oct. 7.

Duquette said they could see a number of cats living in squalor and smell strong odors emanating from the trailer. Andrews didn't want to grant access to the trailer when contacted in Keeseville, he said.

The visible conditions led Houle and Duquette to enter through the unlocked front door.

Duquette said the trailer was an unbelievable mess, with cat feces and debris scattered everywhere. An open box of food was found in the trailer, he said, but no water or litter boxes.

In a statement to police, Andrews said she had last left food for the cats on Oct. 5.

The ammonia from cat urine caused health issues that forced 12 of the cats to be taken to Elm Brook Veterinary Services in AuSable Forks and 10 to the Adirondack Humane Society in Plattsburgh.

Andrews later consented to allow Elm Brook Veterinary and Adirondack Humane Society to take control of the animals.

Andrews is due in Plattsburgh Town Court at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.

Adirondack Humane Society Manager Lil Cassidy said the 10 cats they received are very affectionate.

"They are some of the most incredible cats you could ask for, considering they've been neglected," she said, as a black and gray cat they named Melvin nuzzled her neck.

"Typically, cats that have been abused shy away from people."

Cassidy said the cats all had good weight, which is unusual in a neglect case.

The cats are being segregated for now. All but one had been spayed or neutered, and that one was pregnant.

The cats have all been tested for feline leukemia and FIV (the feline version of HIV). They are still being treated for fleas.

One, which the staff named Morris, had an open wound that covered the outside of one ear.

"They all came in with a bacterial infection in their ears we are treating," Cassidy said.

For that reason, the new arrivals won't be up for adoption for another week or two. She said, that way, people who do adopt one won't face a surprise bill for pre-existing health conditions.

The Adirondack Humane Society has about 150 cats at present, in a facility designed to hold about 60.

For information on adopting a cat, call the Adirondack Humane Society at 561-7297.

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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