Animal Care and Control removes 140 animals, mostly cats, from Lake Worth home

LAKE WORTH, Fla. -- Animal Care and Control has removed 140 animals, mostly cats, from a house in Lake Worth Wednesday.

134 of the animals were alive and 6 were dead when officers arrived at the residence.

Two turtles, a pigeon and a dog were also confiscated. Most are sick, according to officials, and no one had been cleaning up after the animals.

Veterinarians face the difficult task of deciding if any can be saved. Many have been euthanized.

One investigator described the conditions as 'deplorable, nasty and inhumane.'

Officials say the investigation has been going on for months and began when someone noticed caged animals on a patio.

Neighbors say they were shocked, and had no idea there was a problem.

"..Usually during the summer if you go by on a really hot day you can usually smell something but as far as seeing anything we don't see anything out of the ordinary," said neighbor Brandon Ziminsky.

Officers said  they tried to work resident Diane Carle but they say she refused and it became a criminal investigation.

The home is located on 12th Ave South. Sgt Dave Walesky says that animal cruelty charges are pending against the owner.