A Bath woman was charged with animal cruelty after state police said two cats were found abandoned inside a Painted Post residence months after a tenant had been evicted.
Troopers said they responded around 5:36 p.m. July 6 to 109 Willow Circle after receiving a report that two cats had been left inside the residence.
State police said troopers entered the residence with the property manager and found two cats hiding under a bed.
The home was in unsanitary condition, with animal feces throughout the residence, no visible source of water and excessive heat inside because there was no electrical service or air conditioning, according to troopers.
Police said one of the cats was panting heavily and drooling, which was consistent with heat-related distress.
The cats were safely removed and taken to the Finger Lakes SPCA in Bath, where they were surrendered to shelter staff for evaluation and treatment.
Investigators determined that Ashley A. Wright, 41, of Bath, owned the cats and had left them in the residence after being evicted, state police said.
Wright was charged with two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance under state Agriculture and Markets Law.
She was processed at the state police barracks in Painted Post and issued an appearance ticket returnable to Campbell Town Court on Aug. 10.
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