Humane Society rescued 18 cats from squalor

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Humane Society of St. Joseph County removed 18 cats from a home in the 5200 block of Ida Street in South Bend. The animals were living in garbage, feces and dead animals.



The home, owned by James Robsion Sr., has been condemned.



The kitty litter, garbage and disrepair on the outside of the house is nothing compared to what the Humane Society of St. Joseph County found on the inside.



"They died eating themselves. Now that is not acceptable behavior in this county at all," said Dr. Carol Ecker, Humane Society of St. Joseph County.



Humane Society officers have been going through the home in the 5200 block of Ida Street in South Bend all week. So far they have pulled out 18 cats, three of them deceased.



They also removed one dog.



The owners had way more than the three allowed per county ordinance.



Detectives are searching for the homeowner.



"This man needs mental health as far as I'm concerned. And we're going to try and do that," said Ecker.



Neighbor Jim Derbin was shocked to learn what was happening inside and thinks the homeowner should face jail time.



"Throw away the key. Let them think about it for awhile," said Derbin.



He says there's no excuse for a person to have this many pets.



"They don't care about the animals. They don't care about nothing, but themselves. That's what it is," said Derbin.



The Humane Society thinks the animals have been living in the house with no running water or electricity all winter long.



The Humane Society encourages anyone to come forward if they know or suspect abuse happening elsewhere.



"If you have someone that you suspect, please don't look at us as being the bad people. We're trying to help the animals, because they don't need to be in this situation. This was putrid," said Ecker.