200 Dead Cats Found in N.J. Woman's Home - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenya · 05-23-2005, 07:38 PM

200 Dead Cats Found in N.J. Woman's Home

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Monday, May 23, 2005

EAST ORANGE, N.J. - A woman who founded a "no-kill" animal shelter was charged with health code and animal welfare violations after 200 dead cats were discovered rotting in garbage bags in her backyard.

Marlene Kess, who has built a reputation in Manhattan as a caretaker of homeless and dying cats, had 48 cats inside her house, including 38 in one room, authorities said.

Out back, 200 vermin-infested cat corpses were stuffed into garbage bags and apparently were going to be buried in a large hole that had recently been dug, said Sgt. Joseph Bierman of the state's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The cats were discovered after neighbors complained about the stench.

"Oh my God, it was awful," said Michael Fowler of the Associated Humane Societies. "The smell was horrible."

Kess, 56, is the founder and executive director of Kitty-Kind, which runs one of New York City's few no-kill shelters.

She said the cats died of natural causes. State SPCA spokesman Matt Stanton told The Star-Ledger of Newark an investigation into the death of the cats is "ongoing."

A longtime resident of Greenwich Village, Kess moved to East Orange in July.

"I take very good care of them," Kess told reporters Friday. "People who know me know there's no cruelty involved."

Kess was cited for health code violations, including keeping an unlawful number of animals, harboring dead animals and causing an environmental hazard with the corpses. The SPCA, which enforces the state's animal cruelty laws, charged Kess with 38 counts of failing to properly shelter cats.

Authorities are allowing Kess to keep the 48 cats in her home because she promised to separate the sick animals from the healthy ones, Bierman said.

SOURCE: Yahoo News

TripperFan · 05-23-2005, 07:41 PM

This is always tragic to me. Some lonely eccentric animal lovers just take it too far.

Penny Lane · 05-23-2005, 07:50 PM

Holy Moly! What is it with old women and cats?

TripperFan · 05-23-2005, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

Holy Moly! What is it with old women and cats?

Not even always the old ones - I know a woman who's about 44 and is well on her way there!

It's usually lonely ones that love cats to begin with, and think they're helping them by taking them in. Meanwhile, they'd be better off at a no-kill shelter or even as ferrals than kept in conditions like that when they can't afford proper vet care. Very sad all around. They mean well - but.....

Rhiannon · 05-23-2005, 07:58 PM

old bitch

dandelion wine · 05-23-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

This is always tragic to me. Some lonely eccentric animal lovers just take it too far.

I feel the same way and it always breaks my heart.

Penny Lane · 05-23-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenya

200 Dead Cats Found in N.J. Woman's Home

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Monday, May 23, 2005

EAST ORANGE, N.J. - A woman who founded a "no-kill" animal shelter was charged with health code and animal welfare violations after 200 dead cats were discovered rotting in garbage bags in her backyard.

Marlene Kess, who has built a reputation in Manhattan as a caretaker of homeless and dying cats, had 48 cats inside her house, including 38 in one room, authorities said.

Out back, 200 vermin-infested cat corpses were stuffed into garbage bags and apparently were going to be buried in a large hole that had recently been dug, said Sgt. Joseph Bierman of the state's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The cats were discovered after neighbors complained about the stench.

"Oh my God, it was awful," said Michael Fowler of the Associated Humane Societies. "The smell was horrible."

Kess, 56, is the founder and executive director of Kitty-Kind, which runs one of New York City's few no-kill shelters.

She said the cats died of natural causes. State SPCA spokesman Matt Stanton told The Star-Ledger of Newark an investigation into the death of the cats is "ongoing."

A longtime resident of Greenwich Village, Kess moved to East Orange in July.

"I take very good care of them," Kess told reporters Friday. "People who know me know there's no cruelty involved."

Kess was cited for health code violations, including keeping an unlawful number of animals, harboring dead animals and causing an environmental hazard with the corpses. The SPCA, which enforces the state's animal cruelty laws, charged Kess with 38 counts of failing to properly shelter cats.

Authorities are allowing Kess to keep the 48 cats in her home because she promised to separate the sick animals from the healthy ones, Bierman said.

SOURCE: Yahoo News

The woman's name is Marlene!

No similarity here! I am not a cat lover.

I love kids(not animals) (except maybe dogs)
but I would not collect them and abuse them!

MsOrange · 05-23-2005, 08:55 PM

ew

Mijada · 05-23-2005, 09:22 PM

There needs to be a law limiting the amount of cats that one person can own. It is my understanding that one can have as many cats as they want as long as they take care of them but how the heck can 1 person handle hundreds of cats?

Stormtracker TF · 05-23-2005, 09:31 PM

What I want to know is how the heck she got 200 dead cats out in her back yard without anyone noticing sooner.

Max Whittaker · 05-23-2005, 09:51 PM

Taking in more animals than your facility can safely hold, even out of love, is cruelty to animals and dangerous to the community.

Often, they cannot be adopted because they become are practically wild, having had little human contact. They'll need to be put down.

The amount of animals you take in does not show the amount of love you have for them. How much you're willing to spend to provide them with proper conditions does.

This lady is irresponsible and does not deserve the animals she claims to adore.

MrWarmth · 05-23-2005, 10:07 PM

WOW! ***** Galore!

MrWarmth · 05-23-2005, 10:08 PM

Curses! Censored again!

G-Force Glockstar · 05-23-2005, 10:17 PM

That's horrible!!!

moeee · 05-23-2005, 10:52 PM

Unbelievable.

05-23-2005, 07:38 PM	#1
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	200 Dead Cats Found in N.J. Woman's Home 200 Dead Cats Found in N.J. Woman's Home ASSOCIATED PRESS Monday, May 23, 2005 EAST ORANGE, N.J. - A woman who founded a "no-kill" animal shelter was charged with health code and animal welfare violations after 200 dead cats were discovered rotting in garbage bags in her backyard. Marlene Kess, who has built a reputation in Manhattan as a caretaker of homeless and dying cats, had 48 cats inside her house, including 38 in one room, authorities said. Out back, 200 vermin-infested cat corpses were stuffed into garbage bags and apparently were going to be buried in a large hole that had recently been dug, said Sgt. Joseph Bierman of the state's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The cats were discovered after neighbors complained about the stench. "Oh my God, it was awful," said Michael Fowler of the Associated Humane Societies. "The smell was horrible." Kess, 56, is the founder and executive director of Kitty-Kind, which runs one of New York City's few no-kill shelters. She said the cats died of natural causes. State SPCA spokesman Matt Stanton told The Star-Ledger of Newark an investigation into the death of the cats is "ongoing." A longtime resident of Greenwich Village, Kess moved to East Orange in July. "I take very good care of them," Kess told reporters Friday. "People who know me know there's no cruelty involved." Kess was cited for health code violations, including keeping an unlawful number of animals, harboring dead animals and causing an environmental hazard with the corpses. The SPCA, which enforces the state's animal cruelty laws, charged Kess with 38 counts of failing to properly shelter cats. Authorities are allowing Kess to keep the 48 cats in her home because she promised to separate the sick animals from the healthy ones, Bierman said. SOURCE: Yahoo News

05-23-2005, 07:41 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	This is always tragic to me. Some lonely eccentric animal lovers just take it too far.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-23-2005, 07:50 PM	#3
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	Holy Moly! What is it with old women and cats?
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

05-23-2005, 07:58 PM	#5
Rhiannon oh, snap! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: middle of nowhere Posts: 11,097	old bitch
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05-23-2005, 09:31 PM	#10
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	What I want to know is how the heck she got 200 dead cats out in her back yard without anyone noticing sooner.
	__________________ i s .. i t ... s t i l l .. t h e . n e w .. a g e . ? . . . o r .. a m .. i ... t o o .. l a t e .? █║║▌║█ ║▌║▌│║▌║▌█║▌║█ ║▌║▌│║▌║▌█║▌║█ ║▌║▌│║▌║▌█║▌║█ ║▌║▌│║▌║▌█

05-23-2005, 08:55 PM	#8
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	ew

05-23-2005, 09:22 PM	#9
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	There needs to be a law limiting the amount of cats that one person can own. It is my understanding that one can have as many cats as they want as long as they take care of them but how the heck can 1 person handle hundreds of cats?

05-23-2005, 09:51 PM	#11
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	Taking in more animals than your facility can safely hold, even out of love, is cruelty to animals and dangerous to the community. Often, they cannot be adopted because they become are practically wild, having had little human contact. They'll need to be put down. The amount of animals you take in does not show the amount of love you have for them. How much you're willing to spend to provide them with proper conditions does. This lady is irresponsible and does not deserve the animals she claims to adore.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

05-23-2005, 10:07 PM	#12
MrWarmth Comedian Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2005 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 207	WOW! ***** Galore!

05-23-2005, 10:08 PM	#13
MrWarmth Comedian Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2005 Location: Atlantic City Posts: 207	Curses! Censored again!

05-23-2005, 10:17 PM	#14
G-Force Glockstar Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Nov 22, 2003 Posts: 21,770	That's horrible!!!
	__________________ Formally, FullHouseFan8795, CamdenGirl89, Lana Lang, Ruthie Lang, CravinForCarrie, and Girl Meets World.

05-23-2005, 10:52 PM	#15
moeee Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 31, 2003 Posts: 40,094	Unbelievable.