A Bath woman is facing animal cruelty charges after New York State Police say two cats were left inside a vacant residence for months following an eviction.
Troopers responded around 5:30 p.m. Monday to a home at 109 Willow Circle in the Village of Painted Post after receiving a report that two cats had been abandoned inside the residence.
According to State Police, troopers entered the home with the property manager and found the cats hiding beneath a bed. Investigators said the residence was in an unsanitary condition, with animal feces throughout the home, no visible source of water, and excessive heat because the residence had no electrical service or air conditioning. Police said one of the cats was panting heavily and drooling, signs consistent with heat-related distress.
The animals were removed from the home and taken to the Finger Lakes SPCA in Bath, where they were surrendered to shelter staff for evaluation and treatment.
Following an investigation, State Police determined the cats belonged to 41-year-old Ashley Wright, who allegedly left them inside the residence after she was evicted. Wright was charged with two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a Class A misdemeanor.
She was processed at the State Police barracks in Painted Post and issued an appearance ticket directing her to appear in Campbell Town Court on August 10.
