Officers who entered Marybeth Stankevich’s house found 49 live cats and four dead ones. Photo by Mermek AM/Pexels.
A 64-year-old Elsmere woman was charged with 106 counts of animal cruelty after 49 cats were living in her home.
The animals were discovered Tuesday when Officers from the Office of Animal Welfare responded to an animal welfare complaint at Marybeth Stankevich’s house. Along with the animals, they found four dead cats.
The animals were living in inhumane, deplorable conditions in the house, which has been condemned.
The cats were transferred into the custody of the Brandywine Valley SPCA, where they have been receiving care and treatment, according to a press release.
When available for adoption, the SPCA will be seeking placement as working cats because most of them are under-socialized.
A working cat lives an independent life with basic care provided by the caregiver. Examples of working cat environments include barns, warehouses, greenhouses, churches and studios.
Those interested in adopting should visit the Brandywine Valley SPCAâs New Castle Campus.
Stankevich was arraigned in JP Court 11 in New Castle on 106 charges, including:
- 49 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, four felony counts of animal cruelty
- 49 counts of failure to inoculate for rabies
- One count of failure to remove excreta and food waste daily
- One count of failure to store food and bedding protecting from spoilage and contamination
- One count of failure to meet drainage and waste disposal requirements
- One count of failure to maintain water receptacles in a clean manner weekly.
Stankevich was released on her own recognizance and is prohibited from possession of domestic animals pending a court hearing.
To report animal cruelty in Delaware, call DAS at 302-255-4646.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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