Hatboro Residents Face 74 Animal Cruelty Charges

An 85-year-old Hatboro woman, her grown daughter and their three dozen cats have been removed from their home, which has been condemned because of unsanitary conditions, an official said.

Elwine Kimball, 85 and her daughter Diana Kimball, of the 200 block of East Montument Avenue, are facing a total of 74 animal cruelty citations, including two separate conspiracy charges, according to Kristina Machalette, Montgomery County Humane Society police officer. In all, each of the Kimballs will receive 37 citations from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office sometime this week, she said.

The pair’s 36 cats were removed from their home on Friday afternoon, Machalette said, adding that the provided breathing apparatus to SPCA officials at the time of seizure. Strong smells of ammonia – resulting from cats urinating on the floors – were overpowering, she said.

“The condition of the house was so poor that it had been condemned. It was bad to the point that they couldn’t live there and the animals couldn’t stay there,” Machalette said. “It’s bad. It’s not the worst I’ve ever seen.” 

Machalette said a veterinarian has checked the cats and all have been treated for fleas. Some have upper respiratory conditions resulting from the unsanitary living conditions, she said.

The day the cats were removed marked the tail-end of a three-day heat wave, but Machalette said that was not the culprit for the smell wafting through the home.

“The heat made it worse, but the conditions inside the home were not because of the heat,” she said. “It was just because of not being cared for.”

Machalette said the SPCA got involved after Hatboro’s code enforcement office and police department reported the living conditions after assisting with a medical call at the home. From there, Machalette said she obtained a warrant to seize the animals. 

Prior to that, Machalette said the Humane Society had investigated the Kimballs in November following similar complaints.

“The conditions were obviously not the condition that they were,” she said, adding that at that time, the home had just been remodeled and new flooring had been installed. “Everything was cleaned.”

If found guilty, Machalette said the Kimballs, as first time offenders, would be fined.

For the time being, Machalette said the animals are in the SPCA’s custody and are being treated for their medical conditions. Adoptions would have to wait until after the court hearing, which has not been scheduled yet, she said.

“We can’t let them go because animals in Pennsylvania are considered property,” Machalette said.