MONROE - The case of a former Monroe woman accused of hoarding nearly 100 cats in a Monroe residence may reach a resolution next month, according to city and county officials.
Delores Marti, a 78-year-old woman now living in Freeport, currently faces three misdemeanor charges of mistreating animals, improperly sheltering animals and obstructing an officer after 92 cats - 50 alive, 42 dead - were found in her residence in the 1100 block of 19th Street in Monroe in August.
However, her case may reach a resolution after a pre-trial conference on Dec. 20, said Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen.
"I'm anticipating that we'll come to a resolution, based on my relationship with her attorney," Nolen said.
Currently, Marti is required to notify the Green County Clerk of Court of any address changes and is prohibited from owning, feeding or caring for any cats.
Nolen said there is no fundamental mechanism to enforce Marti's cat prohibition, other than the vigilance of others, but any violation of the prohibition will incur bail jumping charges.
The fate of Marti's home may also be determined soon, said city attorney Dan Bartholf.
Marti's residence on 19th Street was condemned and ordered to be destroyed shortly after the cats were discovered, owing to extremely poor sanitation that was determined to constitute a public health hazard. Marti subsequently filed a restraining order against the city claiming the residence could be repaired and represented her entire net worth.
A hearing regarding the restraining order was scheduled to take place in early November, but was postponed indefinitely because of scheduling conflicts, Bartholf said.
Bartholf said he could not disclose details of a possible resolution of the case but said the case would hopefully be resolved at the next hearing - ideally the first week of December, although holiday scheduling conflicts could likely delay the hearing into next year.
In the meantime, three of the cats rescued from Marti's residence are ready for adoption, said Laci Westgard, public relations director for the Humane Society.
The adoptable cats are three of the six kittens rescued from the residence. Some of the remaining kittens still need to be spayed or neutered, she said.
Most of the adult cats rescued from the residence have been taken in by farms in the area, as the cats were not domesticated, Westgard said.
People interested in adopting a kitten can contact the Green County Humane Society at 608-325-9600.
Delores Marti, a 78-year-old woman now living in Freeport, currently faces three misdemeanor charges of mistreating animals, improperly sheltering animals and obstructing an officer after 92 cats - 50 alive, 42 dead - were found in her residence in the 1100 block of 19th Street in Monroe in August.
However, her case may reach a resolution after a pre-trial conference on Dec. 20, said Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen.
"I'm anticipating that we'll come to a resolution, based on my relationship with her attorney," Nolen said.
Currently, Marti is required to notify the Green County Clerk of Court of any address changes and is prohibited from owning, feeding or caring for any cats.
Nolen said there is no fundamental mechanism to enforce Marti's cat prohibition, other than the vigilance of others, but any violation of the prohibition will incur bail jumping charges.
The fate of Marti's home may also be determined soon, said city attorney Dan Bartholf.
Marti's residence on 19th Street was condemned and ordered to be destroyed shortly after the cats were discovered, owing to extremely poor sanitation that was determined to constitute a public health hazard. Marti subsequently filed a restraining order against the city claiming the residence could be repaired and represented her entire net worth.
A hearing regarding the restraining order was scheduled to take place in early November, but was postponed indefinitely because of scheduling conflicts, Bartholf said.
Bartholf said he could not disclose details of a possible resolution of the case but said the case would hopefully be resolved at the next hearing - ideally the first week of December, although holiday scheduling conflicts could likely delay the hearing into next year.
In the meantime, three of the cats rescued from Marti's residence are ready for adoption, said Laci Westgard, public relations director for the Humane Society.
The adoptable cats are three of the six kittens rescued from the residence. Some of the remaining kittens still need to be spayed or neutered, she said.
Most of the adult cats rescued from the residence have been taken in by farms in the area, as the cats were not domesticated, Westgard said.
People interested in adopting a kitten can contact the Green County Humane Society at 608-325-9600.