Toledo, Ohio: Man Arrested for Hoarding Over 100 Cats

Toledo Man Faces Charges After Hoarding Over 100 CatsToledo Man Faces Charges After Hoarding Over 100 Cats Toledo, Ohio – A Toledo man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after authorities discovered over 100 cats living in deplorable conditions in his home. Police and animal control officers responded to a call from a neighbor who reported a strong odor coming from the property. Upon investigation, they were shocked to find dozens of cats roaming freely throughout the home. The cats were malnourished, covered in feces, and many had visible injuries. The house was filled with trash, debris, and ammonia from the animals’ urine and feces. The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Robert Johnson, was arrested and charged with 112 counts of animal cruelty. The Toledo Humane Society, along with the Toledo Animal Care and Control Center, worked for hours to remove the cats from the home. All the animals were taken to local shelters for medical care and evaluation. “This is one of the worst cases of animal hoarding we’ve ever seen,” said Dr. John Dinunzio of the Toledo Humane Society. “These animals were suffering terribly from lack of food, water, and proper care.” The investigation revealed that Johnson had been hoarding cats for several years. He allegedly kept the animals in cages and let them roam freely around the house. Neighbors described Johnson as a “loner” who rarely left his home. They said they had noticed a foul odor coming from the property but had never seen any cats. Johnson appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. The case is ongoing, and Johnson could face up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $1,000 for each count of animal cruelty. The Toledo Humane Society is urging the public to report any suspected cases of animal hoarding. They also encourage people to seek help if they are struggling to care for their pets.