Long Beach Woman Arrested After 134 Cats Found in U-Haul, 28 Dead

SANTA NELLA, CA — California deputies freed 134 cats trapped inside an overheating U-Haul van parked outside a Taco Bell on Sunday evening. Twenty-eight of them did not survive the van, which had no ventilation, food or water, officials said.

Long Beach woman Jeannie Maxon, 69, was identified as the owner of the cats. She was arrested on 93 counts of animal cruelty and booked into the Merced County Jail, the department said. The investigation is ongoing.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Merced County Sheriff's Office (@mercedcountysheriff)

Deputies from the Merced County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to the Taco Bell parking lot in Santa Nella at 5:30 p.m., where they discovered at least 20 cats in distress pressed up against the van's window. Inside were dozens more, with some trapped in small cardboard boxes in the back of the truck.

Animal Control officers were dispatched to the area and rescued 106 extremely emaciated cats as well as 28 dead cats. All surviving cats were taken to the Merced County Animal Shelter, where veterinarians were called to treat the cats, which ranged from one week to 8 years old.

Once the cats are medically cleared, they will be put up for adoption, the department said.

The sheriff's department issued the following statement:

"The Merced County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that leaving any animal in a vehicle during the summer months is very dangerous. On a warm day, temperatures inside a car can soar to extreme levels in just a few minutes, even with the windows open. This can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and even death of the animal left inside.

"Please ensure that when you’re traveling with your pet, they’re provided with a cool place to stay, offering plenty of shade, lots of water, and food."