St. Joseph Animal Control is scrambling to find medical assistance and temporary placement after more than 140 cats were taken from a Park Township residence last week.
Zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman said he and other officials recovered the cats Tuesday, one day after Park Township officials received a tip about the situation.
Two cats had to be euthanized immediately.
Health department officials declared the residence unfit for human occupancy. The home’s 86-year-old owner and his 48-year-old daughter were the sole residents and, according to Kuhlman, were cooperative throughout the process.
Kuhlman said he and three other officials were injured by aggressive cats during the recovery process. They received immediate medical care, he noted.
St. Joseph County Animal Control has sought additional resources from Kalamazoo County SPCA, Cass County Animal Control and local volunteers.
Kuhlman said St. Joseph County Animal Control and Park Township will be seeking restitution for the costs associated with the investigation.