Welfare check reveals 14 dead pets in woman’s freezer, Louisiana police say

A routine welfare check turned horrific in Louisiana when “an unbearable odor” led police to 14 dead pets in the freezer and more scattered around the house, investigators say.

The discoveries were made Thursday, March 13, after police learned “several perishable items” delivered to a home in Morgan City were left outside to spoil, police said in a March 17 news release.

“Officers attempted to make contact at the front door, but no one answered. Officers went to the rear of the residence to make contact. While doing so officers noticed what was clearly a dead cat inside the residence,” Morgan City police said.

“Officers subsequently made contact with the occupant. .... Permission was given for officers to enter the residence where an unbearable odor emitted. ... Other dead cats (were found) throughout the rooms of the house.”

A search warrant was secured the next day, leading police to eight dead cats scattered around the home “and 14 other dead cats in the freezer,” officials said.

One cat was found alive and turned over to an animal rescue facility.

When questioned, the 71-year-old woman “stated she recently picked up cats from the Baton Rouge area to take care of and explained the frozen cats were kept to be later disposed of.”

A cause of death for the cats was not released. The carcasses were collected for safe disposal, officials said.

The woman was arrested and charged with 23 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Morgan City is about a 60-mile drive south from Baton Rouge.