40 dead cats found in Paso Robles apartment
The Presidio Apartments building at 1040 Chestnut St. in Paso Robles.
County Animal Services is investigating incident
– The remains of 40 deceased cats were discovered in mid-August at an apartment complex in Paso Robles.
On Aug. 16, San Luis Obispo County Animal Services responded to a call for service at 1040 Chestnut St., Unit 4, and found 40 dead cats in very unsanitary conditions, said Dr. Eric Anderson, the county’s animal service manager.
“Six live cats were also removed from the property,” five males and one female, said Anderson, who is also a veterinarian.
Animal Services posted a receipt for seized items. Image from SLO County Animal Services
Paso Robles Police Chief Damian Nord said, “We have a record of SLO County Animal Services going out there. They requested assistance from Paso Fire. We are not investigating this; County Animal Services is the investigating agency.”
Anderson confirmed his agency is looking into the matter. “This case remains under investigation, so at this time I don’t have any additional details to disclose,” he said.
The Jacquelin J. Bryant Trust owns the apartment building, called the Presidio Apartments, according to San Luis Obispo County Assessor Tom Bordonaro.
An official seizure notification posted on the building by county animal services names Laurie Bryant and notes an alleged violation of Penal Code 597(B), crimes against animals. A violation of the code can be treated as a felony or a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $20,000.
Reached for comment by phone and email, local resident Laurie Bryant said she manages the property. “The apartment has been vacant since October of last year,” she said. Bryant said she was a tenant there but moved across town a year ago to the San Fernando Drive neighborhood.
“We don’t really know what is going on [with the situation],” she said. “I was out of town for three days when all this came down. We are working with the county. We are working with the city. We are doing everything we can to rectify the situation.”
“What I do know is that there were a bunch of feral cats at the house across the street, for years,” she said. “Apparently two windows were open and some cats did get in and pass away,” Bryant said.
She said she has not been contacted about an ongoing investigation.
On Wednesday, crews in hazmat gear were seen cleaning the apartment. Other units at the building appeared to be occupied by tenants.
Animal Services posted a post-seizure notification form on the building. Image from SLO County Animal Services
– Story by Publisher Scott David Brennan
Don’t tell ‘you-know-who’ or there will be a claim that Haitians are here.
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