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100 Cats, 3 Ferrets Removed From LI Woman's Filthy Home
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 8, 2011
Modified Apr 8, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 8, 2011
Modified Apr 8, 2011
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A Glen Cove woman was arrested earlier this week after authorities found 100 cats and kittens, plus three ferrets, living in "inhumane" conditions in a Glen Cove, Long Island apartment. According to Newsday, Betty Bjorkman, 56, was hit with 103 counts of animal cruelty. Her lawyer said, "She was an animal lover. She cared for them. She always had the utmost respect for the animals and treated them properly," but a police detective said the apartment "needs to be condemned, gutted and started anew. Deplorable is the best word I can come up with."
Her landlord—who started eviction proceedings against Bjorkman because she wasn't paying rent—called the Animal Lovers League of Glen Cove because he hadn't seen his tenant and he was concerned about the animals (plus her apartment smelled). People wore hazmat suits to enter the apartment and rescue the animals—one shelter volunteer said that the cats and kittens all seemed very adoptable, but first they would be cleaned, given shots, and spayed/neutered.
The Glen Cove Animal Lovers League is accepting donations of cash, scoopable litter, and cat food.
Tagged
animal cruelty
betty bjorkman
cat
cat hoarding
cats
ferrets
glen cove
inhumane
kittens
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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