A mother and son were arrested after authorities discovered more than 50 cats and one dog in a motel room, some of which were dead and decomposing.
On January 3, officers were alerted to a Motel 6 room where an unusually high number of animals were reported. Upon investigating, they found six decomposing cats among 32 living cats and one dog in the room.
Motel staff had informed the mother and son that they could keep a maximum of five cats and one dog in the room, provided the animals were well cared for. However, when authorities seized the 32 cats, they found that the animals were living in deplorable conditions, including a flea infestation, beyond just being overcrowded.
Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek explained that when officers returned to the room a week later, they found that the mother had acquired even more cats. On this second visit, they discovered 20 additional cats.
Both Melisa Leverich and her son, Damon Chaplin, were arrested. Authorities noted that Leverich had previously committed a similar offense in 2023, when 36 cats were found in her motel room.
Sgt. Parizek commented, “We understand that when we investigate these cases, there is an odd compassion these individuals feel for the animals, bringing them in out of the elements. But eventually, it gets out of hand, and they can no longer manage the situation.”
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