POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office rescued 35 cats and a dog from a home that an elderly woman covered in feces and reeking of ammonia was residing in. The 82-year-old woman was relocated and taken to safety.
Deputies responded to the home on Pope Lane in unincorporated southwest Polk County for a well-being check of the elderly woman. Upon entering the home, they were met with a strong odor of ammonia and found feces throughout the house as well as over 30 cats. The PCSO Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit was called to the scene.
Sharon Cochran, 57, the suspect, was found to be living in conditions that were unhealthy and unsafe. Piles of trash and garbage were found throughout the home, and several cats appeared to be underweight and in desperate need of care.
The environment inside the home was toxic, with an ammonia reading of 15 ppm recorded, far from the normal breathing air level of 0 ppm. Authorities also found cat feces and roaches in every room of the house, with no litter boxes present.
Cochran was taken into custody and charged with 36 counts of animal neglect, and one count of neglect of an elderly person. The victim, the 82-year-old woman, was relocated to family members. Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the need for compassion towards both the victim and the animals affected.
This case highlights the importance of maintaining safe and humane living environments for both people and animals, and the hope is that the animals rescued will be rehabilitated and find loving homes.