Animal Control Officers Seize 20 Cats from Great Falls Residence

Photo credit GFPD On March 11th, Animal Control Officers (ACO), accompanied by GFPD Patrol Officers and Detectives, executed the seizure of 18 cats from a residence located on 12th St N. The following day, the ACOs retrieved an additional two cats from the same property. According to a press release, the ACOs acted upon an anonymous report from a concerned community member regarding the potential presence of 40 cats inhabiting severely inadequate conditions in the basement of the residence. Although the ACOs initially attempted to conduct a welfare check, they were denied permission to enter the premises. Further investigative efforts, which included collaboration with Montana Probation and Parole Officers and Great Falls Police Department Detectives, resulted in the Cascade County Attorney’s Office obtaining a search warrant based on charges of Aggravated Animal Cruelty. Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Montana Code Annotated 45-8-217) is categorized as a felony offense and applies when an individual intentionally kills or inflicts cruel treatment on an animal with the intent to terrify, torture, or mutilate the animal, or when such cruelty is inflicted upon a collection of ten or more animals. In this situation, it was determined that the seized cats lacked access to sufficient water and that the sanitary conditions of the home were unacceptable for habitation. Upon the successful capture of the 20 cats, which included a mother cat and her four three-week-old kittens, these animals were placed under the care of the Great Falls Animal Shelter at their temporary housing facility. Officer Ethridge reported that one dog was also impounded during the course of the investigation. "The cats are friendly and seem to be in relatively good health, considering the conditions they were living in,” stated Ethridge in the press release. No human or animal injuries were reported during the investigation. Currently, none of these animals are available for adoption. According to City of Great Falls Ordinance 6.1.060, the number of cats and dogs permitted per residence is limited to two cats and two dogs, unless a Multiple Animal Permit or Hobby Breeder Permit has been granted. Photo credit GFPD