A Florida woman is under arrest after police say they found a child and several animals living in squalid conditions that included fecal matter, bugs and garbage.
Citrus County, Florida police say they responded to an animal cruelty call at the home of 38-year-old Shannon Marie Morgan on Wednesday. WTVT-TV reported.
When authorities from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, they were overwhelmed by the smell of ammonia inside the home and found several cages and glass aquariums housing snakes and rodents along with rats and cats on the loose. , running around the house.
Authorities say the animals had been deprived of their basic needs and that fecal matter and urine in the house and cages had caused an infestation of cockroaches and other insects.
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Shannon Marie Morgan, 38, has been charged with animal cruelty and child neglect.
(Citrus County Sheriff’s Office)
Adding to the misery for the animals, authorities say trash, dirty dishes and rotting food were strewn throughout the home, also attracting various insects.
In one bedroom, police officers found a ferret and a dog in cages that were too small for the animals and found a toddler inside another bedroom that was surrounded by insect-infested trash on the floor and mattress.
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A rat running around the home of Shannon Marie Morgan, 38.
(Citrus County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators also say they found blood on a bedroom floor caused by a cat eating one of the rats.
Authorities said more than 50 rats were found inside cages with about 300 rats roaming freely.
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Animals in cages at Shannon Marie Morgan’s home
(Citrus County Sheriff’s Office)
Seven cats, a dog, and a ferret were removed from the home and the home was secured to facilitate removal of the remaining animals.
Morgan has been arrested on 12 counts of animal cruelty and one count of child neglect with a total bond of $26,000.
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“Abuse of any kind should not be tolerated,” Sheriff Mike Prendergast said of the incident. “The conditions of this residence and the animals in this case were so poor that sheriff’s office staff were warned not to enter. Neither children nor animals should endure this type of environment. It is crucial that our citizens report any possible sign of child or animal neglect. Our animal control officers, deputies and crime scene specialists have once again done a phenomenal job.”
