Police: Woman charged after 14 cats found dead in freezer, 8 others throughout home

MORGAN CITY, La. (WAFB/Gray News) - A woman in Louisiana faces charges after investigators said they found eight dead cats throughout her home along with 14 dead cats in a freezer.

The Morgan City Police Department said 71-year-old Sheri Hite was arrested Friday and charged with 28 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Officials said they were called to the woman’s home for a welfare concern, where they found multiple perishable items at the front door that had not been picked up.

Officers reportedly tried to make contact with Hite at the front door of the home but did not get an answer.

They said they went to the back of the home where they were able to talk to Hite.

Hite gave the officers permission to enter the home, according to police. After searching the home, they discovered the eight dead cats in multiple rooms and the other 14 in the freezer.

One cat was found alive and was taken to an animal rescue.

Police said Hite told them she had recently picked the cats up from the Baton Rouge area to take care of. She also reportedly said she kept the frozen cats in the freezer to later dispose of them.

Hite was booked into the Morgan City Jail.