18 cats removed from house as Beaufort police investigate animal cruelty case

Beaufort Police found 18 cats and a turtle “in extremely poor health” living in a home on Pine Court North Wednesday as they responded to a report of animal cruelty, a press release says.

Beaufort County Animal Services notified the department of the possible abuse after receiving numerous reports.

Officers obtained a search warrant after they experienced an “overwhelming” odor of urine, ammonia and rotting trash while attempting to talk with a 51-year-old female resident at the home.

Some of the cats were kept in rusting cages filled with fecal matter, the report says. Roaches and fleas also were infested in the cats’ bedding.

The cats, which appeared to have been left in the cages for an extended period, could not fully use their legs. They suffered from malnutrition and apparent ammonia burns.

“Some of the cats were too weak to lift their heads,” the release says.

Numerous dead rats and an injured turtle were found in the house.

The turtle, with a broken shell, was clinging to life in fetid bathtub water.

“The condition of the residence was so unsanitary and unsafe that the City of Beaufort building and codes enforcement officials deemed it unsafe for habitation and declared the residence condemned,” The release says.

Police are investigating, and charges are pending against the resident, who was not at home when the search warrant was executed.

Port Royal Veterinary Hospital is treating the animals.

This story was originally published February 13, 2020 at 4:56 PM.