LAGRANGE (AP) –Two residents of a trailer from which humane society agents last week removed 49 sick cats have been charged with cruelty to animals.
Mary Delgizzi, 44, and Robert Venti, 54, are to appear March 1 in Lincoln District Court on the charge, a Class D offense punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, according to Penobscot County Deputy District Attorney Michael Roberts.
Animal Welfare Program officials last week described the mobile home as “a giant litter box” with layers of feces and cat urine covering the floor and a horrible stench pervading the trailer.
All 49 cats were removed from the trailer and were split up between the Bangor Humane Society and the Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta.
Most were diagnosed with ringworm, upper respiratory infections and feline leukemia, according to Norma Worley, Animal Welfare Program director. The cats must be separated from other animals in both shelters, she said Tuesday, because they are very contagious.
“This is probably the worst cat situation we’ve ever seen,” said Jeff Mitchell, executive director of the Bangor Humane Society.
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