Suspected Animal Hoarding in Mint Hill

MINT HILL, NC — Police pulled more than 50 cats, dogs and even a rabbit from a suspected animal hoarder’s home in Mint Hill Tuesday.

CMPD has not charged the woman at this time, so WCCB Charlotte is not releasing her name.

The suspected animal hoarding was years in the making, according to animal rescue groups who know the woman.

“Animals are not just things you can throw away. They’re not some things you can stack in cages. It is not a nick-nack,” said Lizett Wright.
CMPD Animal Care and Control took out 43 cats, one dead kitten, seven dogs and one rabbit from the home on Lebanon Rd.

CMPD put an unsafe sign over the door because it’s unfit for anyone to go inside.

The fire department measured air quality, prompting officers to wear respiratory gear as they gathered the animals.

WCCB Charlotte checked records, this is the second animal check here this year. The first time was in June.

“It really seem like that everyone ends up in this situation: started out for the right reasons and the right heart, and they just wanted to help animals, and it gets to point where you cross over that threshold,” said Melissa Knicely with Animal Care and Control. “You take on so many, and you can no longer care for them properly.”

Wright owns a rescue. She and others tell WCCB Charlotte the woman adopted so many cats, rescues across the area began to cut her off.

“It’s sad because so many people try to rescue, and, all the sudden, it’s snowballing,” said Wright.

CMPD says the woman can surrender her animals to police, she can fight for them in civil court or she will be in criminal court if there are animal cruelty charges.