Life's a (VA) Beach
93 cats seized from Virginia Beach breeder
Last updated on Jan. 19, 2007.
On May 4, 2005 a cat breeder,
Carolyn Franck, was charged with animal cruelty after animal control officers
removed 54 cats from her home. Officers have visited the owner several times
in recent years to monitor her cats and went there again receiving
a complaint from a person who had gone there to buy a cat.
Police say
the officer found dozens of what appeared to be unhealthy cats. After getting
a search warrant, officers returned to remove 54 cats on May 3. Police said
Franck did not resist the seizure. The 40 -50 cats that appeared to be healthy
were allowed to remain in Franck's house. The confiscated cats were examined
on May 4 by a veterinarian at the Virginia Beach SPCA.
On May 5th, the remaining
39 cats were removed after officials say the veterinarians who examined
the first animals taken from the home found several contagious infections
and illnesses. Authorities say this discovery prompted concern for the health
of the remaining cats and therefore they were removed. Franck was charged
with animal cruelty and failure to have valid rabies vaccinations for all
of the cats. She is due in court May 9 to try to prove her fitness
as an animal owner.
A judge
ruled May 11, 2005, that she will not regain custody of the felines. In
a court hearing, the judge ruled the cats were not receiving adequate care
in Franck's home. Because no criminal intent was found, Franck will not
face any fines or jail time. However, she is responsible for the resulting
vet and impoundment fees.
Another hearing is scheduled
on May 17 to determine those fees, which could total in excess of $15,000.
The impounded cats will be put up for adoption. In Virginia Beach, there
is no law limiting the number of cats a homeowner can keep - as long as
the animals receive adequate care. |
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Clawrissa (right) and Patty (left) are two of the 93 cats seized from Carolyn Franck's home. We don't know exactly how many Cornish Rex were seized.
Cotton - a seal-point Cornish Rex female was among those seized. She was adopted and is happily adjusting to family life in Virgina Beach.
Click here to return to the Cornish Rexcue Web page.
Practice safe Rex:
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All photos on this page are © 2004 and 2007. Seizure photos coutesy of WAVY. Used with permission. Images are © 2007 by Greta Huls and cannot be used without written permission.
