Man arrested in Queen Valley animal hoarding case

by Associated Press (February 4th, 2012 @ 8:52am)

QUEEN VALLEY, Ariz. � Pinal County authorities say a man has been arrested in Queen Valley in an animal hoarding case.

County sheriff's deputies and Animal Care and Control officers served a search warrant on a home Friday and removed 59 cats and one dog.

They say nine carcasses of deceased cats were found inside the home.

Before Animal Care and Control officers were able to enter a male resident was arrested by sheriff's deputies after allegedly making threats to law enforcement and animal control officers. The man's name hasn't been released yet.

Authorities say many of the cats are believed to be in poor physical condition with disease or illness likely in some. How many and whether the cats will be available for adoption will be determined in the next few weeks.