Police were at the scene of an animal-hoarding house Monday in Berwyn. (CBS)
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BERWYN, Ill. (CBS) – Authorities removed 33 cats and three dogs from a Berwyn home Monday after investigating a complaint from a tipster.
The residence at 31st and East previously had fallen afoul of city codes for its unkempt exterior, Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran told reporters. After officials were granted access inside Monday, they found “deplorable conditions” that included signs of animal hoarding and pet feces. Police tape cordoned off the property Monday.
The occupants were a man and woman in their 40s and a female juvenile. The home will need to be cleaned before it can be occupied, O’Halloran said.
“Our first concern was for the juvenile in the building,” the fire chief said.
The animals were in good condition and were taken to an animal shelter in Cicero.
Neighbors say one of the occupants kept taking cats in, with good intentions, but became overwhelmed. Will Brown said the odor emanating from the house was unbearable.
“I never smelled anything like that before,” he tells CBS 2’s Brad Edwards.
Brown said he hopes the house can be re-inhabited.
