15 Cats Taken From Elderly Animal Hoarder In Frankford
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The two story home on Granite Street smelled so bad, neighbors complained constantly.
"You sit up there, you get ate up by the fleas," said one neighbor who declined to be identified.
The SPCA says the home was filled with trash and filth. Flies gathered outside the front door, and authorities needed gloves and masks to go in.
"It's unbelievable," said George Bengal, in charge of Humane Law Enforcement with the SPCA. "The fleas, the parasites. There's no way this is fit for a human, let alone animals."
Inside, police say Ruth Brogan, 61, hoarded cats. Brogan's hands shook as she was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
Fifteen cats were taken to the SPCA for treatment. Now all of them are recovering and awaiting treatment for fleas and infections, then hopefully adoption. While most of the cats survived, four were found dead.
Neighbors say she tried to take care of strays cats, but it got out of hand. She never let anyone in her house.
Authorities say Brogan now needs help from a psychiatrist, while the cats in her home need help from a vet.
Reported by Oren Liebermann, CBS 3
