A Monterey woman has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after police found more than 48 animals living in squalor in her home.
Ilagene “Jeanie” Quaglia, 59, was arrested Wednesday morning and is being held on $10,000 bail, according to the Monterey Police Department.
On April 27, following a police investigation, the SPCA for Monterey County seized 17 cats, 24 dogs and 7 puppies suffering from flea infestations, eye, dental and skin infections, and malnutrition from Quaglia's home, police say. Three days later the group seized two more cats, as well as the remains of two cats and a dog.
The animal rescue took place after police officers found feces and garbage inside what seemed to be an abandoned car. Officers tracked down Quaglia, the car's owner, at a Monterey house they say reeked of a foul odor similar to that emanating from the vehicle.
Police say the house was filled with up to three feet of trash, feces, and urine, and that there was no functioning kitchen or bathroom.
Quaglia was not arrested right away, because police wanted to make sure their investigation was complete before making the arrest, says Monterey Police Lt. Leslie Sonne.
During Wednesday's arrest police say they found a cat locked in the trunk of Quaglia’s car.
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