August 19, 2011
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) seized some 700 cats from Pennie and Steven Lefkowitz, residents of Alachua County, Florida on June 7 and 8 after the couple established their own cat sanctuary.
It isn’t unusual for as many as 700 cats to be found in one sanctuary so the media was silent about the issue. Interest in the case rose months after the seizure because the fate of the couple was finally decided.
Animal rights activists had been torn over what to do about the violations. Some thought the couple should be given “mandatory mental health evaluations and therapy.” Others opted for jail time. On the night of Aug. 15, things were settled: the Lefkowitzes were arrested and are now facing 47 counts of animal cruelty, “46 for cats and one for a rooster.”
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) seized some 700 cats from Pennie and Steven Lefkowitz, residents of Alachua County, Florida on June 7 and 8 after the couple established their own cat sanctuary.
It isn’t unusual for as many as 700 cats to be found in one sanctuary so the media was silent about the issue. Interest in the case rose months after the seizure because the fate of the couple was finally decided.
Animal rights activists had been torn over what to do about the violations. Some thought the couple should be given “mandatory mental health evaluations and therapy.” Others opted for jail time. On the night of Aug. 15, things were settled: the Lefkowitzes were arrested and are now facing 47 counts of animal cruelty, “46 for cats and one for a rooster.”
SOURCE:
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0818/700-cats-seized-by-Humane-Society-in-Florida-the-aftermath
