KALISPELL, Montana - A 60-year-old woman was charged with animal cruelty after authorities said they found her living with 75 cats, 14 dogs and other animals, many of which had no food or water. Droppings and garbage about 6 inches deep covered the floors in every room of Judith Space's house on Fairmont Road, authorities said.
Photographs show deep piles of animal droppings and trash on the kitchen stove and counters, as well as inside the dishwasher. An open window allowed the animals to come and go into the house, a sheriff's report stated.
Space was cited for cruelty to animals for confining the animals in a cruel manner, due to the feces and lack of food and water, the report stated. She also was cited for having more than four dogs on the property without a permit.
The animals remain at Space's home, although authorities notified the county health department and Adult Protective Services. The animals would be taken to shelters around the state if she is convicted. Her case was forwarded to Flathead County Justice Court.
An animal warden reported the conditions to authorities after being called to the house July 14 in response to a complaint about a barking dog.
The next day, a sheriff's deputy returned with the warden and a veterinarian and found several kennels crowded with dogs and cats outside the house, the report stated. Most of the kennels had no food or water, although one contained an automatic cat food feeding system. Authorities also found cat food on a piece of plywood.
One kennel contained dogs and several rabbits without food or water. Some of the cats reportedly were suffering from eye infections.
