A home along West Broadway Avenue in Brooklyn Park has been condemned for human habitation after investigators found unsafe ammonia levels inside, caused by a significant presence of animal waste from 30 animals, mostly cats, living inside.
The home at 6316 West Broadway – and the 68-year-old woman living in it – have been the subject of several investigations relating to the care of animals for the past 25 years, according to the complaint. She has been charged with six counts of felony animal neglect, and her first court date is Sept. 9.
Police say the case began when a nearby resident complained of pet waste, unrestrained animals and overgrown grass earlier this year. A city inspector evaluated the property and reported the findings to police in July, noting at least 10 cats in the entryway of the home, two cats at the front door — one appearing to suffer from a respiratory infection — and a loose Rottweiler that the suspect had difficulty returning inside, according to the complaint.
One week later, police and an investigator from the Animal Humane Society visited the home and spoke with the suspect, noting a strong odor of feces, urine and mold emanating from the residence as far as 15 feet away from the door. Officers reported seeing several groups of cats huddled under a vehicle, near the front door and moving through tall grass in the yard.
Officers returned with a search warrant another week later and seized 29 stray and feral cats, three cat carcasses, and the Rottweiler. According to the complaint, three of the living cats underwent eye removal surgery due to ailing health caused by conditions inside the home.
Police noted that despite wearing protective equipment, including respirators, they were overwhelmed by the smell inside the home, which was completely destroyed and covered in animal waste, according to the complaint.
Brooklyn Park police reported an ammonia reading inside the residence of 25.4 parts per million. Ammonia emits a pungent odor in concentrations as low as 5 ppm, while eye irritation is typically caused at 20 ppm, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital, and care of the animals was turned over to the Animal Humane Society.
Sarah Bhimani, a spokesperson for the Animal Humane Society, reported that many of the animals seized have since been adopted, with three remaining for adoption floor at the time of web publication.
“Generally, what we’ve seen with the animals from this case is that they are shy and need some extra time and patience to get used to their new surroundings,” Bhimani said.