More than a dozen cats abandoned at Newton home

Multiple cats have been abandoned at a Newton residence, according to a press release from the Newton Police Department Thursday afternoon.

The NPD was called Nov. 1 to a home in the 700 block of North Fifth Avenue West for an animal neglect complaint. Upon arrival, officers discovered the renter had moved out of the home and left several cats behind. After further investigation, police found the residence was in poor condition and numerous cats were found inside and outside in extremely poor health.

More than a dozen cats have been removed from the residence and taken to a local veterinarian and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa for care, according to the release.

The NPD and staff at the ARL are still in the process of capturing all the cats that were in and around the property.

The case remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com