A teacher was arrested in the USA for keeping 309 animals at home (11 photos + 1 video)

A 48-year-old elementary school teacher was arrested in the United States for keeping more than 300 animals in her home. These were cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks - they all lived in terrible conditions, and many were sick.





A resident of Polk County in Florida, USA, kept more than 300 animals in her home. This was reported to the county police, who recently seized all the animals and arrested the woman. Lisa Lacharite, 48, a second-grade teacher at a local elementary school, contacted the SPCA a month ago saying she wanted to sterilize 22 cats. After this, the organization suspected something was wrong and reported suspicions of animal neglect to the police.



According to shelter employees, the woman herself smelled horribly of ammonia, and the condition of her cats was extremely serious. Many had fleas, missing fur, upper respiratory problems, nasal and eye discharge, and wounds. Then they contacted the police. Law enforcement officers went to conduct a welfare check at the woman's home - and were shocked. In the house where she lived with her mother, they found 309 animals.

“We seized 142 cats, 164 ducks, chickens and one peacock, as well as three dogs. Many of the cats were not cared for - they were sick,” said one of the sheriffs.



Lacharite was arrested and charged with 5 counts of felony animal cruelty and 304 counts of felony animal neglect. The main role was played by the unfavorable conditions in which the animals were kept. Polk County firefighters also tested the air quality near the home and found significant levels of ammonia in the samples.

"Imagine 100-plus cats roaming freely around the house. Imagine ducks and chickens in cages stacked on top of each other, defecating on the animals underneath them. Imagine a woman coming to a shelter with 22 cats to have them spayed or "Neuter them. Imagine pulling into your driveway and smelling that smell from the house," says the county sheriff.



Lacharita is also charged with neglect of the interests of the elderly, because, according to the sheriff, she is caring for her 75-year-old mother, who, by the way, was taken to the hospital for examination. All seized animals are cared for by the SPCA and local animal control. Employees treat those who need help and find homes for healthy animals.