VIDEO: Crews find filthy conditions inside house full of cats
UPDATE: ABC 17’s Joe McLean got the first look inside a home where more than 40 animals, mostly cats, were rescued June 23.
Warning: the video has images which some people may find disturbing or upsetting.
Because of the filthy conditions inside the home, everyone wore surgical masks, gloves, and coverings on their feet. Joe McLean said the smell from inside the house persisted even after he was back outside.
Joe will have a live update on the home and the woman who lived there this evening on ABC 17 News.
ORIGINAL STORY: Jefferson City police have arrested a woman on suspicion of animal cruelty, after rescuing more than 40 animals from a home on Thursday.
Working with the Jefferson City Animal Control, City Code Enforcement, and Fire departments, police served a search warrant at the home of Carolyn Goyda on East Ashley Street. The warrant had been issued based on a number of complaints about a large of number of animals in and around the home.
During the search, officials found 40 cats and one dog in various stages of health. Those animals have since been taken to the Jefferson City Animal Shelter for treatment. As a result of this, the shelter will be closed for the rest of the day; it will open for normal business on Friday.
Goyda was arrested on suspicion of 41 counts of animal cruelty, each count a misdemeanor.
In 2015, following complaints about strong smells and lack of upkeep at the home, the city issued an abatement order, leading to the removal of trash and junked vehicles on the property.
