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Polk woman on trial for cat-hoarding allegations
February 18, 2015
Nancy Pfund is standing trial on 32 charges of not providing clean water, food and shelter for the dozens of cats in her home.
BARTOW -- A Polk County woman is on trial on 32 charges of not providing clean water, food and shelter for the dozens of cats in her home.
Nancy Pfund started a non-profit organization called "Polk County Cat Coalition." Authorities were called to her home last April while she was in the hospital.
Family friend Brian Corta testified Wednesday that Pfund had asked him to care for her cats while she was in hospital. When he arrived at her Winter Haven home he said he was greeted by strong odors.
"I was immediately hit by the overwhelming odor of cat urine and feces," he said.
Corta called Pfund's son, who then called Animal Services. A sheriff's office deputy testified that there were old and new cat feces inside most of the home and that cat food was strewn on the floor with the cat feces. He also testified about an overwhelming smell and many bugs.
Officials removed 91 cats and several other animals from the home. Ultimately, 32 of the cats were euthanized.
In opening statements Pfund's defense attorney Jami Millhouse told the jury that the cats were well taken care of and loved.
"They were loved. Each cat had a name and Ms. Pfund can tell you that cat's name," said Millhouse.
Millhouse also told jurors that while Pfund was in the hospital, another person failed to feed and water the cats.
The trial will continue Thursday.
Polk woman disputes cat-hoarding allegations
Feb 18, 2015
WINTER HAVEN (FOX 13) - A Polk County woman is facing potential prison time because of the way she took care of her cats. When investigators raided Nancy Pfund's home last year, they seized 90 cats, two dogs and a pig.
Thirty two of the cats were eventually euthanized; the rest of the cats were adopted out.
On Wednesday, Pfund went on trial. During opening arguments, Assistant State Attorney Amy Smith painted a dismal picture of Pfund's house.
"Feces layering the entire floor. Not just one room, not piled up in a corner, the entire house," Smith said.
Smith said urine stained the carpets and the walls. The stench was so strong, law enforcement had to wear masks to breath.
The defense says that the cats were well fed, properly watered and cared for medically.
"They were loved. Each one of those cats had a name and Miss Pfund can tell you that name," said defense attorney Jami Millhouse. "Nancy Pfund did nothing wrong."
The case broke last April when Pfund was in the hospital. She asked a neighbor to check on the cats. When he entered the house and saw the conditions, he called Pfund's son. Her son was overwhelmed and called authorities.
Pfund was offered a plea deal but did not accept it. The state wanted to limit Pfund to owning only five cats. Pfund said no. Instead, she opted to go to court.
Now Pfund faces criminal charges and potentially up to nine years in prison. The trial continues Thursday.
