22-Count Animal Cruelty Indictment For Galloway Woman: Prosecutor

GALLOWAY, NJ — A Galloway woman has been indicted on 22 counts of animal cruelty after 21 cats and one dog were found at her home in need of medical attention, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.

Lourdes Martinez was initially charged on July 22, 2023, as Patch previously reported. Galloway police originally reported that 22 cats, not 21, were taken from Martinez's condominium.

A search warrant was issued on the residence after neighbors complained of animals living inside the home in unsanitary conditions, the prosecutor's office said.

All of the cats were found in need of medical attention, officials said. A veterinarian assessed them and determined they had respiratory illnesses and eye infections.

The one dog was also suffering from untreated illnesses and malnutrition, officials said.

None of the animals had access to clean food or water, according to officials.

The home's interior was covered in cat urine, feces, garbage and mold, officials said.

The case was investigated by the Galloway Township Police Department’s Humane Law
Enforcement Officers.