A Bath woman is facing 25 criminal charges after police discovered dozens of sick and mistreated cats — along with some that had died — inside her condemned home.
Valentina H. Perry, 68, was arrested on November 20 after officers with the Village of Bath Police Department executed a search warrant at her Pine Street residence. The search followed a report about a large number of cats, both alive and deceased, in the home.
Investigators said the house was in such poor condition it had to be condemned on the spot. Inside, officers found 25 live cats ranging in age, all appearing severely ill and neglected.
The animals were removed and turned over to the Finger Lakes SPCA for care. Veterinarians later confirmed all the cats were malnourished and suffering from various medical issues, requiring extensive treatment.
Perry, the sole occupant of the home and owner of the cats, was charged with 25 counts of Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance under Agriculture and Markets Law 353 — a Class A misdemeanor. She was released on an appearance ticket and will return to Bath Village Court at a later date. The charge is not eligible for bail.
Police say the operation was a joint effort with the SPCA, Bath Code Enforcement, and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, all working together to ensure the animals were safely rescued and the case was thoroughly handled.
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