MONROE - Delores Marti, the woman accused of hoarding 50 cats in a Monroe residence, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of animal imprisonment Monday.
Marti, 78, appeared in Green County Circuit Court Monday for an initial appearance on misdemeanor charges of mistreating animals, imprisoning animals and obstructing an officer.
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman recommended Marti sign a $1,000 signature bond with conditions that she not possess, feed or in any way care for any cats.
Marti was charged after 92 cats - 50 living, the remaining 42 dead - were discovered at her residence at 1106 19th St. in early August.
The residence was found to be in exceedingly poor condition, with apparently little effort made to clean up the cats' excretions or corpses. The house was ordered to be destroyed at Marti's expense shortly after the animals were discovered.
Marti claimed to reside with her cats at the now-condemned residence. At Monday's hearing, Marti updated her address to indicate a current residence in Freeport.
In August, Marti was also ordered to pay $10,000 to the City of Monroe as reimbursement for money allotted to the Green County Humane Society to care for the surviving cats.
The maximum possible charge for any of Marti's charges is 1.5 years in prison or a fine of $10,000. She will next appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Oct. 18.
- Michael Brestovansky
Marti, 78, appeared in Green County Circuit Court Monday for an initial appearance on misdemeanor charges of mistreating animals, imprisoning animals and obstructing an officer.
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman recommended Marti sign a $1,000 signature bond with conditions that she not possess, feed or in any way care for any cats.
Marti was charged after 92 cats - 50 living, the remaining 42 dead - were discovered at her residence at 1106 19th St. in early August.
The residence was found to be in exceedingly poor condition, with apparently little effort made to clean up the cats' excretions or corpses. The house was ordered to be destroyed at Marti's expense shortly after the animals were discovered.
Marti claimed to reside with her cats at the now-condemned residence. At Monday's hearing, Marti updated her address to indicate a current residence in Freeport.
In August, Marti was also ordered to pay $10,000 to the City of Monroe as reimbursement for money allotted to the Green County Humane Society to care for the surviving cats.
The maximum possible charge for any of Marti's charges is 1.5 years in prison or a fine of $10,000. She will next appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Oct. 18.
- Michael Brestovansky