Two women in western New York are facing misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges after authorities say they found four dead cats stored in a kitchen freezer inside a cluttered residence that officials described as “uninhabitable.”
The Ontario County Humane Society said it worked with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office to rescue 17 animals from a property in Canandaigua, N.Y., on Dec. 2. The animals — 14 dogs and three cats — were taken to a local veterinarian for urgent treatment.
According to the shelter, Sheila LaFleur, 63, and Robin Burr, 61, who both live at the Canandaigua address, were arrested earlier this month. Each was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and later released on bond, officials said.
The Sheriff’s Office said it opened the investigation after receiving an animal-neglect complaint that raised concerns about unsanitary conditions and a lack of medical care. The complaint came from someone who had recently picked up two other dogs that had been fostered at the home.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers entered the residence and found 14 dogs in need, which were taken into custody. The Humane Society said some dogs were confined in metal cages while others moved freely inside. Three cats were also rescued.
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Investigators said they made a grim discovery in the kitchen: four deceased cats inside the home’s freezer.
The Humane Society said the dead cats would be transported to the Cornell Animal Diagnostic Center for necropsies to determine how they died.
All surviving animals were brought to the shelter and placed under veterinary care. The Humane Society said initial examinations showed the dogs and cats were flea-infested and suffering from fur loss, dental problems, and ear infections, and that treatment is ongoing.
The shelter added that a Town of Canandaigua Code Enforcement Officer deemed the residence uninhabitable due to severe hoarding conditions.
LaFleur and Burr are expected to appear in court at a later date, according to The Finger Lake Times, WHAM, and WHEC. Authorities have been contacted for additional details.
