270 Cats Found In Home -- Dead And Alive

58 Dead Cats Found In Freezer

OMAHA, Neb., 7:32 p.m. EDT July 26, 2001 -- An Omaha woman faces dozens of counts of animal cruelty after police found 212 live cats and 58 dead cats in her home, along with other dead animals.

Dozens Of Cats Taken From Home "A lot of cats are suffering here."

Officers were chasing a suspect on foot for an unrelated case. The officers noticed a strong smell coming from a home near 41st and Ames streets. Police did not catch the suspect, but they asked the owner of the home if they could search the house.

Inside, investigators said that they found about 212 live cats. Veterinarians are volunteering their time to examine the cats. All of the animals have earmites and fleas. There are also concerns about contagious diseases. Some of the cats had to be put to sleep.

There were also 58 dead cats in a freezer along with eight other dead animals, including an opossum, dove, squirrel, pigeon and rabbits. Humane society workers confiscated the live cats, and five dogs that were also at the home.

Initially, investigators thought that there were only a few dozen cats in the home. Throughout Wednesday night, the numbers of cats, both alive and dead, climbed.

Police said that Hanne Kaea, 47, does have a license to operate a cattery, but investigators said that she was exceeding her limit. She faces several counts of animal cruelty. She was also ticketed for child neglect because her 17-year-old son was living in the home.

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