102 cats seized from Florida woman’s home; 60 euthanized

SUMMERFIELD, Fla. (AP) – Authorities say 102 cats were seized from a north Florida woman’s home, and 60 had to be euthanized.

Diana Lorraine Darnaby of Summerfield was arrested Wednesday on a charge of felony animal cruelty. The 62-year-old woman was released from the Marion County jail on $2,000 bond.

Authorities visited the home last week after a neighbor complained about a smell coming from Darnaby’s property.

Officials say the surviving cats are ill but are being treated with antibiotics and vaccines. The county plans to ask a judge for custody of the animals.

Darnaby told the Ocala Star-Banner (http://bit.ly/1MBM9JY ) that she did her best to care for feral cats she claimed the county forced her to keep in the past. Dozens of cats also were removed from Darnaby’s property in 2009.