2 days ago
Florida couple accused of animal abuse stored dead cats in hoarder house living room freezer: CCSO
The Brief
A Florida couple is accused of abusing cats and storing dead felines in a living room freezer.
Detectives said there is evidence that the couple tormented a one-eyed cat named Irene.
Dozens of cats were rescued from the couple's 'hoarder home' and the case is still under investigation.
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. - Detectives in Southwest Florida said an extreme case of animal hoarding led to the arrests of a Marco Island couple and the rescue of dozens of cats.
The backstory
While serving a civil inspection warrant at a home at 1740 Piedmont Court on Marco Island on Wednesday, detectives and animal control officers said they found a 'disturbing' situation.
Inside the home, authorities said they found:
Fifty-seven living cats in conditions ranging from mild illness to critical distress
Approximately 15-20 dead cats stored in a freezer in the living room.
A "quarantine room" with 24 cats suffering from untreated medical conditions
Trash strewn about and floors soaked with feces, urine and vomit
Little to no air circulation
Olga Murphy, 62, and her husband Igor Mursalimov, 54, were arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty. Detectives said the couple have an active license to breed cats for sale. The majority, if not all, of the rescued cats were Maine Coons.
According to detectives, a cat named Irene was missing an eye and suffering in pain without veterinary care since 2023.
Detectives said the initial investigation and physical evidence at the scene suggest the couple tormented Irene. A DAS veterinarian provided on-site triage.
Detectives also seized hundreds of veterinary medications labeled in Russian.
What's next
This is an active investigation, and more evaluations and necropsies are underway.
What they're saying
"I'm proud of the swift action our detectives and partners took to remove these animals from an unhealthy environment so they can get the necessary care," Sheriff Rambosk said. "Animal cruelty has no place in Collier County and we will continue to work aggressively to hold offenders accountable."
The Source
This story was written with information posted by the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
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