150 Cats Evacuated From New York Home, Some Were In Walls

SCHAGHTICOKE, N.Y. (AP) — State police say building inspectors have condemned an upstate New York home after crews had to tear out the walls to find many of the more than 150 cats that were removed from the property.

Troopers say the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society spent Tuesday and Wednesday removing the kittens and adult cats from Bertha Ryan's home in the Rensselaer County town of in Schaghticoke (SKAT'-ih-kohk), 20 miles northeast of Albany.

Police say 11 dead cats were found on her property.

Officials say a trooper who went to the home earlier this month to check on the welfare of a resident saw that there were numerous felines inside living in deplorable conditions. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities discovered that many of the cats were hiding behind the walls.

Troopers say charges are pending.