64 cats found dead in woman's house
Investigators find dead animals kept in freezers and refrigerators on property
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A woman who was found to have 64 dead cats and dozens of live animals on her property has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.
Caycee Bregel was running an animal rescue nonprofit out of her rural home in Minnesota when investigators discovered “unconscionable mistreatment" of more than 100 animals.
Court documents say investigators found deceased animals kept in freezers and refrigerators and approximately 35 deceased cats “decomposing” in a garage.
Ms Bregel was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and two years of probation, and ordered to undergo a psychological examination.
Investigators found 64 dead cats, 43 live cats, 5 dogs and a 400-pound pig on her property in 2018.
Ms Bregel received nearly 144 cats and one dog for care between July 2017 and February 2018 by partnering with an animal welfare organisation, according to court documents.
She pleaded guilty to 13 counts of animal cruelty and served three days in jail, according to Minnesota's Star Tribune newspaper.
She will not be allowed to own or care for any animals.
Investigators first became aware of Ms Bregel when complaints about a pig running loose led them to the house.
When they entered, they found an “overpowering odour of urine and faeces” and “animal excrement” covering the floors, walls and windows of the property.
The living cats were described as “emaciated” and appeared to have not been fed or given water for several days.
"The abuse and mistreatment of animals in the manner that occurred in this instance was unconscionable," county attorney James Backstrom said in a statement.
Ms Bregel was able to keep the animals by working with the Animal Humane Society as a foster partner.
Keith Schiff, an investigator for the organisation, said: “It is a nasty, ugly case at the expense of these animals and we’re going to hold that individual responsible for it."
He also attempted to downplay suggestions that the organisation had not done enough to monitor Ms Bregel.
"There is already oversight, it's just that you can't predict what someone may do. If they're very good today that doesn't mean something won't go wrong tomorrow," he told KTVU.
“I don’t know necessarily what went wrong in this particular case but you have to remember that she started out trying to help animals, got in over her head and this developed."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments