DALEVILLE, Ind. -- Two people have been charged with child neglect after more than 100 cats were found in a Daleville home last Wednesday.
The Delaware Circuit Court 3 is charging Angela Lock-Wood, 47, and her husband, Steven Wood,51 with neglect of a dependent and the two could face up to 30 years in prison for the Level 6 felonies.
The Muncie Animal Shelter received a call last Tuesday night from Delaware County EMTS that a woman had been found dead the night before, and had died of natural causes with multiple dogs and cats on the property.
Director of Muncie Animal Shelter Phil Peckinpaugh said the amount of cats inside the home at 13908 W. Daleville Road, was “uncountable” and he wouldn’t be surprised if more than 100 cats were in the home.
Fifteen cats and two dogs were removed last Tuesday night.
Shelter employees were up as early as 9 a.m. last Wednesday morning to rescue more animals.
So much kudos to @MuncieShelter. They can barely breathe in this home but keep going back to rescue more cats.@rtv6 pic.twitter.com/CKqWTFUxfd
— Anne Kelly (@AnneKellyRTV6) August 10, 2016
When shelter employees entered the home, they said the garage was covered with feces and kittens, some who are only days old.
“It’s really hard to compare one (hoarding situation) to another. I’ll say I haven’t seen one that’s worse, so it’s bad. It’s just a horrible and sad situation for everyone involved. People, animals, us and caregivers,” Peckinpaugh said.
All personnel entering the home were instructed to wear protective gear, including respirators as the air quality was extremely poor.
Masks on. Very necessary due to the ammonia in the air. pic.twitter.com/Yk5q7unSWf
— Anne Kelly (@AnneKellyRTV6) August 10, 2016
Muncie Animal Shelter is accepting monetary donations but also in need of food, bowls, litter, litter boxes and flea treatments.
Prior to this raid, the shelter already had 80 cats. Peckinpaugh said the shelter is out of funds and desperately needs help to spay and neuter cats.
The cats are currently living in crates set up in the hallways and the garage of the Muncie Animal Shelter.
They plan to reach out to other shelters across Indiana but despite their cramped quarters, Peckinpaugh said the shelter won’t “euthanize for lack of space.”
“I’ve been with the shelter for five years and we’ve never had a more desperate time than what we have right now,” said Peckinpaugh.
