Las Cruces Investigating Report Of Animal Hoarding

LAS CRUCES, NM – The man charged with hoarding animals at his home will remain free until his courtdate.

Dona Ana County investigators filed charges against Jack Catlan, the man accused of allegedly hoarding 125 animals around his house, on Tuesday, July 3.

After evaluating the case, County Officials deemed the confiscated animals were in good health and Catlan was spared Extreme Animal Cruelty charges.

However, Catlin still faces 20 counts of Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty, in violation of State statute,and one count of Hoarding, in violation of County ordinance. Dona Ana County sheriff’s deputies and county animal control officersawaited the results of medical tests before they filed those charges.

Dona Ana County Spokesman Bo Nevarez stated, “we felt that he was being cooperative with the investigation…he isnot a threat to society and he is not a flight risk…that’s why we decided not to arrest him at this time.”

Last Friday, Animal Control officers visited Catlin’s house after neighbors complained ofa foul smell coming from his property.They had to obtain a search warrant for his residence at the 500 block of Fair Acres after herefused to let them in.

Once they were granted access to the property, theyfound over125 animals inside. There were at least30 dogs, 15 cats, a couple of goats andmany chicken and ducks. Investigators say newspapers littered with feces and urine covered the floor inside the home, penetrating the entire residence with a foul smell.

Catlan maintains the animals were well cared for. “These animals have a lot of food, a lot of water, they have everything they need,” he said. “I realize people are going to say what they want to say…it’s not cruel.”

The animalsare being held as evidence at the Dona Ana County Animal Shelter.

According to Officials,there areno plans to euthanize the animals. Investigatorsmet withCatlan’s attorney to see ifhe would agree to have the animals treated medically at his cost. They tell ABC-7 Catlin did indeed agree to pay for the housing and medical expenses himself.

The Humane Society charges about $40each day per animal. With all the animals being held as evidence, there is a possibility Catlan might not be able to pay the expenses. If this happens, the county will have to pick up the tab.

“The animals were not clean…they had matted hair and it’s just going to cost a lot of money and work for us to rehabilitate them,” stated Al Davis, with the Dona Ana Humane Society.

Because these animals are being held as evidence, there isno telling how long the Humane Society will have to keep them. County officials are also asking for anyone who bought a dog from Catlan to come forward because they have reports of dogs bought fromhim being sick.

Catlan is a speech language pathologist at Las Cruces Public Schools. District Spokeswoman Jo Galvan told ABC-7 administrators have not decided whether to suspendhim after he was charged. “Human Resources will take a look at the case; however, because the charges are misdemeanors, there is a high possibility of the charges not relating to his job performance,” she stated.

If found guilty on all charges, Catlan could face up to five years in prison. In regards to the seizure of his pets, Catlin told ABC-7, “this is traumatizing, the animals are traumatized…Iam traumatized.”

Three cases of animal hoarding, largely involving cats anddogs, have been reported in the Las Cruces area last month.