Owner of 27 Cats Charged With Animal Cruelty

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A Norfolk woman faces animal cruelty charges after police found 27 cats and two dogs, some of which were in poor condition, at her home. A dead cat also was discovered inside the residence.

Linda Goldsmith, 53, was arrested Friday and charged with nine misdemeanors, including two counts of animal cruelty, said Norfolk police spokesman Chris Amos.

Additional misdemeanor charges included one count for having more than four cats, one count of failure to license the cats, one count of failure to vaccinate the cats, two counts of failure to license the dogs, one count of failure to bury a dead cat, and one count of failure to perform duty of ownership concerning the two dogs.

Amos said police received information earlier in the week that sick animals were being sold at the residence. A search warrant was issued Friday.

Goldsmith is set to appear April 4 in Norfolk General District Court.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)