Ferret Owner Charged With 33 Counts of Animal Cruelty

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Silver Spring woman has been charged with 33 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, according to officials with the Montgomery County Animal Services Division.

Investigators said Lisa Oestereich was charged on May 13 in the case of 11 ferrets that were seized from her Markham Street home on April 6.

Each charge of animal cruelty carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $1,000, animal control officials said.

Officers from Montgomery County’s Animal Services Division found the ferrets “living in isolated, unsanitary conditions,” in the basement of Oestereich’s home. Authorities said that the food Oestereich provided the ferrets was contaminated with feces and insects. Some of the ferrets had fleas and suffered hair loss, according to officers. Animal Services officials said that the residence was later condemned.

The ferrets are now available for adoption through the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center.

»From Montgomery Community Media, photo from MCM