PRESTON – No charges have been filed against a Preston man who had roughly 17 cats – 11 of which have already been euthanized – living amidst scattered piles of garbage and feces in a house on Tamarac Road, the county Sheriff’s Department confirmed Monday.
The animals’ owner, David Moon, vacated the home at 574 Tamarac Road early last week after being evicted several weeks ago. It’s believed that neighbors provided food and water for the cats that were left behind. However, an SPCA official said the animals were in rough condition when found, and were put to sleep.
“They were very sick and very aggressive,” said Chenango County SPCA Executive Director Carol Hedlund. “At least they are not there anymore.”
Approximately six other cats could not be caught and remain at the home, and will most likely have to be put to sleep once rounded-up, Hedlund admitted.
“It’s very unfortunate,” she said.
Friday evening the SPCA and the sheriffs intervened to rescue the animals when it became clear that Moon would not be able to come back for the animals, Sgt. Timothy Urnaitis said. Urnaitis said the department is still deciding whether or not to arrest Moon.
“How can anybody do that and get-off scott free?” said Preston resident Jan Robinson who reported the case, referring to no charges being brought against Moon. “It really breaks my heart.”
Neighbors and officials say the Tamarac Road resident kept numerous dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and other farm animals – which he reportedly took to his new residence in North Norwich, with the exception of the cats.
Calls to Moon’s new number were not returned.
One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said they fed the animals in the house once Moon was gone, but could not get to several others that were kept in an adjacent garage.
Just a few hours prior to the rescue Friday, Urnaitis said that after an initial investigation Thursday no laws had been broken since the cats – guided by state Agriculture and Markets animal cruelty laws – had adequate shelter, food, and water at the time; despite occupying an unheated log cabin that was strewn with garbage and feces. He added that if Moon did not retrieve the cats on Friday, a rescue would be conducted and an arrest was possible. Following the rescue, Urnaitis said no decision on charges has been made.
“We are still trying to decide if it is going to be of value to arrest this guy,” Urnaitis said, claiming Moon is handi-capped.
According to the law, a person that does not provide “a sufficient supply of good and wholesome air, food, shelter and water, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both.”
Officials with the SPCA and Sheriff’s Department said they first became aware of the situation when Moon’s home was foreclosed on by mortgage lender Fannie May.