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Abandoned pets removed from St. Clair Township residence

Morning Journal/Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert This friendly calico cat was one of two removed from a Calcutta home Tuesday after neighbors reported no one seems to be living there.

CALCUTTA — Several animals were removed Tuesday from a home on Gonzales Avenue after apparently being left on their own for awhile.

According to St. Clair Township Patrolman Max Nolder, the police department was notified by the county dog warden that neighbors of 16624 Gonzales Ave. reported they had not seen anyone living in the house for weeks and there were animals inside.

When a deputy dog warden arrived on the scene, she was able to see dogs in the window, according to Nolder, who said he found a door open, allowing them to enter the home.

Inside, they found three dogs and two cats.

Nolder said there was feces and urine everywhere in the home, saying, “It reeks.”

According to Nolder, the neighbors said it appeared someone was coming in and feeding the animals at times, but there was no food and water in the house for them.

One of the dogs managed to escape outdoors while the dog warden was rounding them up, and it went right to a puddle of water on the porch and began lapping it up, Nolder reported.

The dog warden removed the three dogs, but could not take the cats, so Angels for Animals stepped in and representative Brenda Austin captured the male and female in carriers, which were removed by her and Nolder.

Nolder said he didn’t know what they would have done had Angels for Animals not been willing to come for the cats, since they couldn’t go to the dog pound.

Austin said the cats were not in bad condition, although one had matted fur while the other’s white paws were discolored yellow from walking around the urine-covered floors of the home, she said, adding they both smelled badly like the inside of the house.

They are scheduled to be seen by a veterinarian to determine if they have any health problems.

The dog warden could not be reached last night for comment on the dogs’ condition.

A tag was left for the pet owners, notifying them they have been seized and explaining the procedure for inquiring about them.

According to the county auditor’s website, the property is owned by Alexander B. Stevenson of that address.

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