The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Unit responded to an investigation involving approximately fifteen cats abandoned inside an apartment last week. Damages to the apartment caused by the renter’s abandonment of these animals were estimated to be about $7500.
Sheriff’s deputies determined through records that the apartment was last rented by Bradley Oliver. The apartment at 824 W Brown Street in Tempe had been without utilities and was filled with cat feces throughout the entire dwelling.
Maricopa County detectives seized nine of the 15 cats from a neighbor who rescued the cats just days before deputies were notified of the crime. Sheriff’s deputies contacted the neighbor who willingly turned the animals over to them.
Deputies then transported the cats to Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Phoenix for evaluation and treatment, then placed them in the care of inmates at Sheriff Arpaio’s air conditioned First Avenue jail.
All cats were severely dehydrated and malnourished before treatment. Unfortunately, a deceased cat was found inside a kitchen drawer.
Subsequently, Bradley Oliver was arrested by Sheriff’s detectives and booked into the 4th Avenue Jail.
Oliver stated, during an interview with Sheriff’s detectives, that he made efforts to locate homes for the cats and provided food and water for them during the month of June. He then admitted to entirely abandoning the cats in the beginning of July.
The cats remained in Oliver’s apartment with no food or water until early August when apartment management staff and concerned neighbors contacted authorities.
Sheriff Arpaio stated, “With temperatures so high, it’s amazing more of these cats did not die as a result of this suspect’s neglect. The conditions these young cats were abandoned in were truly disgusting.”
Arpaio continued, “Nine cats recovered, saving each of their nine lives. It is my policy that anyone who abuses animals goes directly to jail.”
Oliver was booked on nine counts of Animal Cruelty. He was released from jail on $1800 bond.