PITTSBURGH — Two children and more than 20 animals were removed from a home in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood Wednesday amid a severe hoarding situation, officials said.
Police and Animal Control officers were called to the Bergman Street home, where 23 cats and a dog were found inside. Two children, ages 12 and 17, were living in the home with their parents, Kathy Lyons and Leslie Lee Lyons.
The parents were arrested, and police said they will likely face charges for child endangerment and animal cruelty. Officials are looking to place the children in a safe home.
RAW VIDEO: More than 20 animals removed from Sheraden home
Police said the home was in deplorable condition, infested with cockroaches, garbage and animal feces. Channel 11's Mike Holden reported that the smell of cat urine overwhelming, and there were so many cockroaches in the home that they were crawling on the sidewalks.
The cats, including some kittens, are being taken to Homeless Cat Management Team in Tarentum, where they will receive any necessary care. Homes will then be sought for them. Some of the kittens are just weeks old and some of the adult cats are pregnant.
"This right now just saddens me because it could have been prevented by simply spay and neuter," said Michelle Miller, who serves on the board of directors for the Homeless Cat Management Team.
A tip led police to the home, and neighbors said it's about time.
"They finally got caught having all the animals they had up in their house. It's been going on for six years," one neighbor said.
Homeless Cat Management Team is accepting donations for the cats, which will eventually be adopted. Click here for more information.
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