MARTIN COUNTY \u2013 A Foxwoods resident, accused of hoarding 97 cats and 21 dogs in \u201cdeplorable conditions,\u201d was ordered on Aug. 26 to undergo a mental health evaluation and have no contact with any animals for the two years while she is on probation, according to Martin County court records.<\/p>\n
Gail Giede Giustino, 77, pleaded no contest before Judge Kathleen Roberts on Aug. 25 to two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and confinement of animals without sufficient exercise, according to court records.<\/p>\n
Roberts also ordered that Giustino must reimburse the the Martin County Sheriff\u2019s Office and the Humane Society for costs the organizations accrued during the investigation, according to court records.<\/p>\n
On July 20, sheriff\u2019s deputies; Martin County Fire-Rescue\u2019s hazardous materials team; and Martin County Animal Care & Control officials removed the animals from the house at 11500 block of Southwest Meadowlark Circle in the Foxwoods subdivision near South Fork High School.<\/p>\n
The situation was the \u201cworst case of animal hoarding I\u2019ve seen in Martin County,\u201d Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said at the time.<\/p>\n
Investigators removing the animals found the home to be \u201cin deplorable condition,\u201d according to the arrest affidavit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no safe path of entry due to excessive debris, animal feces and urine throughout the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMultiple cats were found confined in cages containing accumulated feces and urine. Several of the cats appeared to be emaciated and in poor condition. The odor inside the residence was so severe that it presented a potential health hazard to responding personnel,\u201d it was noted in the arrest affidavit.<\/p>\n
Giustino, jailed on those charges, since posted a $25,000 bond and was released from the Martin County Jail, court records show.<\/p>\n
The animals were turned over to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City.<\/p>\n
Sarah Fisher, Humane Society spokesperson, said Aug. 25 that there were about a dozen of Giustino\u2019s cats left up for adoption through the Humane Society\u2019s two thrift shops in Stuart and that all the dogs were adopted out.<\/p>\n
To donate to all animals in its care, go to hstc1.org\/donate-now<\/a>.<\/p>\n