Over 100 dead cats found in faeces-riddled home after being 'stolen by hoarder'
An animal welfare group said they believe the suffering was "unimaginable" and are investigating how an employee allegedly took the cats back to their squalid home
Some 100 cats were found dead inside a squalid hoarder home "overflowing with faeces," leaving people horrified.
Animal Assist Senju, an animal welfare group based in Japan, apologised to social media users after it posted photos of the home, lined with rubbish, and "overflowing with faeces and urine." The home belonged to one of its staff members the group said, before alleging they had taken many cats without permission. Horrifyingly, one of the cats was found with "its skin peeled off and paws covered in faeces and urine," the group posted to Instagram last week.
The organisation uploaded images of the hoarder's house with multiple cat carriers being seen on the floor alongside piles of strewn newspapers and other household items. Animal Assist Senju representative Tsuchida Etsuko said the organisation was working to find foster parents for the surviving cats and that it was co-operating wit police, who have opened an investigation into the incident.
Officials in Kumamoto, in Japan's southern island of Kyushu, said they had found dozens of dead cats and that initial estimates were that there were "around 100," reported the AFP news agency. But media reports in the country have hinted the total figure could, in fact, be higher.
"Before making this announcement, I would like to apologise," the organisation said in a June 1 Instagram post. "I am very sorry. We are deeply, deeply sorry that we have betrayed everyone who trusted and supported us.
"All members of our organisation take this matter very seriously. We are deeply aware that we, the members, are also responsible for this situation. Your harsh words of scolding are very true and you are right."
The post continued: "I believe that the suffering of the cats who died was unimaginable. I believe that the suffering of the families who lost their beloved family members is indescribable.
"We will investigate thoroughly to find out who they are, where they came from, and how they can return home."
Many people who commented on the post slammed the organisation and went on to demand how the staff members could have taken the cats. There were others who said the organisation did not put the animals' care first.
According to Animal Assist Senju, a Yuki Muyata who worked for the organisation is currently under investigation. It added that no more cats or kittens would be taken care of by the group in the future.
It is unclear whether any action has been taken against the organisation. Police are understood to have launched two separate visits to the house before launching a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the dozens of cats.
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