Humane society: 40 cats seized from Security home are euthanized

Forty cats seized from this home in Security on Tuesday have been euthanized. (via Colorado Springs Gazette)

Forty cats seized from a home in Security on Tuesday have been euthanized, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region said Wednesday.

"The medical issues of the 40 cats removed from the house yesterday were so severe that the most humane option was euthanasia," the humane society said.

Veterinarians who inspected the cats found them in extremely poor health with bleeding oral ulcers, upper respiratory symptoms, conjunctivitis, depression and weight loss. The cats exhibited symptoms of Calicivirus, a highly contagious and therefore a common disease in groups of cats housed together, according to officials. The symptoms cause extreme pain and discomfort in an infected cat.

Joe Stafford, director of animal law enforcement, said a warrant was executed at the home. Stafford said that because an investigation is ongoing, the exact address and the name of the homeowner are not being given.

Stafford said it has yet to be determined whether charges will be filed.

"The conditions in the house were extreme," said the humane society. "Feces had to be shoveled from the floor, and the ammonia levels in the air were extremely high. We also removed several dead cats from the premises."

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul

Staff writer Anthony Cotton contributed to this article.

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Humane society: 40 cats seized from Security home are euthanized