LAKESIDE, Calif. (KGTV) - "Dozens" of cats were found Thursday in an East County apartment in unlivable conditions.
San Diego Sheriff's Department (SDSO) responded to a welfare check for elderly neglect just before 2 p.m. in the 9700 block of Channel Road. Deputies arrived and located "dozens of cats" in a 1000-square-foot apartment, according to a release.
Deputies said the apartment was not in a liveable condition.
Officials at the scene originally told 10News more than 100 cats were found, but later clarified it was difficult to count because the cats kept running away. Officials said that number is closer to 70 cats.
An elderly female was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, but she is expected to be fine. No criminal conduct is suspected and no arrests have been made.
One person transported from animal hoarding situation unfolding here in Lakeside. @10News pic.twitter.com/pdiVxZHprQ
— Travis Rice (@10NewsTravis) November 2, 2017
VIDEO: Man living in an apartment with dozens of cats just seized by animal control in hoarding investigation explains what happened @10News pic.twitter.com/xCdTsansly
— Travis Rice (@10NewsTravis) November 2, 2017
County Animal Services took custody of the cats.
A man who said he lives in the apartment told 10News there were about 80 cats in the unit and they had started housing the cats about two years ago.
Detectives are treating the incident as an animal hoarding and elderly neglect investigation.
