In California, a woman sitting in the house a garbage dump, forcing his father to live surrounded by hundreds of rats

Law enforcement agencies of the state of California are investigating the case on abuse of older people and the failure to care for animals.

What the police found in one of the houses of the city Ojai, it is difficult even to imagine. Three people lived in such appalling conditions, the stench of rotting garbage and faeces were felt in 6 metres from the building. They shared a house with 12 dogs, a cat, a parrot, rabbits and hundreds of rats, which bred with garbage.

In California, a woman sitting in the house a garbage dump, forcing his father to live surrounded by hundreds of ratsIn California, a woman sitting in the house a garbage dump, forcing his father to live surrounded by hundreds of ratsCatherine Ann Vandermeulen accused of abuse of older people and refusing to care for Pets. Photo: OPD

As representatives of the police Department Ogaya (Ojai Police Department – OPD), last week it was reported that the local resident doesn’t care about his 74-year-old sister. When the specified address there arrived militiamen, intending to check conditions of accommodation, the hostess refused to let officers into the house. 65-year-old Katherine Ann Vandermeulen and her sister tried to convince the police that they are fine.

However, the OPD staff immediately noticed stains from feces, which were littered with women’s clothing. In addition, on the approach to the house officers felt a specific smell of feces. This served as the basis for compulsory inspection of the building the next day.

Together with representatives of different authorities and services, employees of the police Department Ogia visited Vandermeulen March 14. When they went inside, almost lost the power of speech. The police suspected that the home environment is far from ideal, but nobody expected to find there a real dump.

In the inspection process, law enforcement officers discovered 96-year-old father Vandermaesen that needed regular care. The man was forced to live in hellish conditions, and almost never went outside. Also lived there 12 dogs, 2 rabbits, a cat and a parrot. In addition to Pets, staff Services animal control Ventura County (Ventura County Animal Services – VCAS) identified from 200 to 700 rats, which felt very comfortable on the makeshift dump.

«When we entered, we saw that everywhere was feces and urine. It was definitely one of the worst houses I’ve ever visited,» said detective Joe Preciado.

On the same day the building was declared unsafe for habitation of humans and animals. Pets taken to the shelter, an elderly father and sister Vandermaesen was sent out, and the lady of the house was arrested. Later the woman was released on bail. In the near future awaits her trial.

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