UPTON, Mass. — Ten cats have been removed from an Upton home by the MSPCA, and officials with the MSPCA tell FOX25 they still have a lot of work to do.
Of the ten cats removed, two were dead. About a dozen more are still hiding inside the home and outside in the yard.
Officials responded after neighbors called the board of health to report a strong smell of urine throughout the neighborhood. Neighbors shared their frustrations with FOX25's Jacqui Heinrich Wednesday during FOX25 News at 10 p.m.
"If it was a warmer day you could smell it worse, winter of course with the windows closed you could still smell it but it wasn’t as strong," one neighbor said.
FOX25 has learned this isn’t the first time neighbors have tried to get help for the two sisters who live in the house and their dozens of cats.
Several years ago, neighbors claim about 100 cats were removed, and until recently animal control officers have been planting traps in nearby yards to control the population.
"We want the cats gone, we want them to get help so that it doesn’t repeat itself,” a neighbor told FOX25.
MSPCA law enforcement authorities say the 8 cats were voluntarily relinquished, but they have a lot of work ahead finding the ones that remain, and medically treating them if necessary.
"I can’t really comment too much. It’s a situation that the cats need to be removed from,” MSPCA Officer Nadya Moreno said.
The cats are being taken to the MSPCA shelter in Jamaica Plain where they will be evaluated and placed for adoption.
Charges against the sisters have not been filed because in Upton there is no law regarding how many cats someone can own, however the MSPCA is determining if cruelty charges or mental health services are necessary.