Feb 22 (Japan Today) - A 62-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of animal abuse after keeping 23 cats in unsanitary conditions at her apartment in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
According to police, a complaint was filed by a neighbor against Taeko Horiguchi in December over the unsanitary conditions of her residence in Asao Ward, Fuji TV reported. Health authorities found the cats living in squalor and one dead in a cage.
Following the removal of the cats, an animal shelter official stated, “Some of the cats were thin, while others had diarrhea. Their fur also smelled of urine and feces.â€
A cleaning company employee recalls, “The entire household was full of feces. There were a lot of flies and insects flying around, and the smell was simply horrendous.†Other neighbors complained about the stench coming from Horiguchi’s home.
On Jan 9, Horiguchi was arrested after breaking into the shelter by shattering a window to regain custody of the felines.
Police said Horiguchi has vehemently denied the allegations of animal abuse.
