Inside the home, which is owned by a woman, the staff from the County Administrative Board were met by dead cats and large amounts of faeces – so much that the doors could neither be opened nor closed.
– There was a lot of stuff and it was difficult for our employees to get around, it was dirty and there were many dogs and cats that needed immediate veterinary help.
The stench of urine was palpable in the woman’s residence and ammonia levels were measured at 17 ppm – the maximum allowed level is 2.
– Several times a week we see different levels of misery, but we don’t see this level of misery very often, says Christopher Lagerqvist, director of rural areas at the County Administrative Board in Södermanland.
Dead cats on the floor
The colleagues of Christopher Lagerqvist took care of 25 animals – five of the cats had already died in the home from their injuries. 17 of the animals were dogs, the rest were 13 cats locked in small cages.
Several of them had to be euthanized because their injuries were so serious.
– It’s about their opportunity for a good life and whether they suffer a lot.
Together with the County Administrative Board, the police were also on site at the house after an anonymous tipster contacted the authority on December 10 last year.
– The animals were very dirty and in need of fur care. Some of the animals have unfortunately had to be euthanized for animal welfare reasons.
Was in the home in 2015
Given the amount of faeces in the apartment, Christopher believes the misery has been going on for months. But it is not the first time that staff from the county administrative board have visited the home.
– In 2015, we were last inside the house and then the last inspection was without defects, he says.
The case is ongoing and the County Administrative Board will soon make a decision about what will happen to the animals that, after being taken into care, are currently in animal shelters.
– Now the focus is on the animals and how we should handle them in the best way. Generally, when something like this comes up, keepers are tried for pet bans, but it’s too early to say anything about that in this case.