A Knox County, Tenn., woman has been charged with cruelty to animals after animal control authorities found dozens of dead cats in two homes she owns.
Authorities said some of the cats found had been dead so long, they were nearly mummified and others were found decomposing. Animal Control officers also found 10 skeletal remains at one of the homes.
The owner of the houses, Sylvia Sexton, was charged with 26 counts of animal cruelty.
Authorities got a search warrant for the properties after they were told by neighbors that one of the cats bit their pet dog and scratched their childs hand.
Authorities say there was no electricity or running water in the home and that the furniture was rotting and decayed. The carpet was also said to be decomposing and covered with feces.
The house wasn't believed to be lived in by humans, and a neighbor told the local media that Sexton and her husband would stop by once a day to put food and water out for the cats, but authorities said the animals appeared to be severely neglected.
Animal control officers searched the other home owned by the couple, also in Knox County, where they found dead cats. It has been condemned by the county.
The District Attorney Generals office has said more charges may be filed later in this case. Sexton is out on bond and is expected to be arraigned July 7.
Posted: July 5, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST