60 Cats Seized From Dirty DeKalb Home

DECATUR, GA — At least 60 cats have been seized from a house near Decatur that police say was so filthy that officers who entered it got red eyes and started coughing.

Authorities were alerted to the home on Canary Court, off of Columbia Drive near Decatur, by two veterinarian's offices earlier this month. They made a first trip to the home on Aug. 8 and a second, to get more cats, on Wednesday. They say that even more cats from the home are expected in coming days.

According to DeKalb County Police, the home was filthy, with feces, urine, trash and other items strewn all over it. In a report, officers also say the stench of cat urine was so strong that it "caused us to cough real bad and gave us swollen red eyes."

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Police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell said about 45 cats were removed from the home on Aug. 8 and another 15 on Wednesday.

The residents of the home, two brothers, were charged with animal cruelty and agreed to turn the cats over to DeKalb County Animal Services.

On Facebook, animal services said it is in need of help. There already were about 200 cats at DeKalb's animal shelter and Lifeline Animal Project is asking for help with fostering, adoptions, volunteers and donations.

Photo courtesy DeKalb County Animal Services