On Sunday night, a U-Haul vehicle was discovered infested with cats in a Taco Bell parking lot in California. The majority of the 134 cats in the van were in distress, and almost one-fifth of them were dead, according to officials.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office has released disturbing photos of cats jammed on the car’s front window. Additional animals, including kittens as young as one week old, were discovered crammed into cardboard boxes at the rear.
The Sheriff’s Office said that after 106 severely malnourished cats and 28 dead cats were removed from the van, a Long Beach lady was arrested on 93 charges of animal cruelty.
A deputy found the kitties in the van parked outside the Taco Bell in Santa Nella, according to a Facebook announcement. Through the car windshield, they observed at least 20 cats in need of help right now.
The sick and dead cats were collected by animal control officers. According to the announcement, they discovered that the car was empty of food and drink.
The cats’ ages, according to officials, ranged from one week to eight years. To get care, the malnourished cats were brought to the Merced County Animal Services shelter.
According to the statement, the animals will be up for adoption as soon as they receive medical clearance.
The owner of the cat was identified by authorities as Long Beach resident Jeannie Maxon, 69. Merced County Jail received her booking. Officials stated that the case was being investigated.
The Sheriff’s Office used the occasion to caution pet owners of the risks of leaving any animal in a car, pointing out that the event happened on a summer day when temperatures in Merced County hit 100 degrees on Sunday.
According to the announcement, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone that it is extremely risky to leave any animal in a car during the summer. Please make sure your pet has a cool area to remain when you travel with them, complete with lots of shade, food, and water.
