Over 50 animals rescued from Indiana home, pair arrested and charged
By Griffin Glasscock
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EVANSVILLE, Indiana (WEVV) — Dozens of animals were rescued from an Evansville home Tuesday night after police and animal control officers uncovered what they described as severe and unsafe living conditions.
According to an affidavit, officers were called to a home on Franklin Street to assist animal control following reports that multiple animals were living in the home without access to food or water. The residents were identified as Joshua and Alee Nelson.
Police say officers discovered 15 dogs confined to kennels throughout the home, many of which contained feces and urine. Investigators reported the dogs had no access to food or clean water.
Outside the home, animal control officers found five ducks and four chickens kept in a fenced-in backyard, also without proper food or water.
As animal control began removing animals from the property, officers were informed of an additional room in the basement that had not initially been disclosed. Inside that room, animal control discovered 25 cats living in extreme conditions. Four additional cats were found upstairs.
According to the affidavit, the ammonia smell coming from the basement room was so strong that animal control officers exited the home in tears. Police put on breathing masks before entering.
Inside the room, officers observed a kiddie pool and multiple buckets filled with feces, with waste covering much of the floor. Animal control officers had to walk through the feces to reach the cats. No food or water was found for the animals.
Several cats were suffering from untreated injuries and respiratory issues believed to be caused by prolonged exposure to the toxic air. One cat reportedly had a leg injury wrapped with what appeared to be human medical bandaging.
Animal control officials told police that several of the cats were suffering from respiratory issues due to what they described as “toxic air” inside the room.
In total, 15 dogs, 29 cats, four chickens, and five ducks were removed from the property. Animal control documented the conditions and took custody of the animals.
Joshua and Alee Nelson were arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Both are charged with animal neglect and are each being held on a $5,400 bond.
The case remains under investigation.
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