Online Nightly Newscast 11/5

WPRI.com -  

Responding to a potential hoarding situation, Providence Animal Control officers seized dozens of cats from a home on Murray St. Thursday morning.

"There are no words, no words to describe it. It's like ammonia on steroids. It's just unbelievable," said Kevin Duffy

The cats were taken from 68 Murray St. around 10 a.m. Officials say the cats were hiding everywhere.

"Up inside bureaus, in back of dishwashers, underneath refrigerators. These are the ones that are kind of feral and they are extremely hard to catch," said Dave Holden, animal control officer.

The woman who lives there said she only had 20 cats in her house.

"I only had around 20," said Frances Reed, cat owner.

However, the owner of the home said he knew something was going on inside the house, so he called police.

Animal control officers estimate that they have seized 40 cats from the residence. It's illegal to have more than three cats in Providence.

Officials say the cat owner is likely to face charges.