Cats, dogs and ferret seized as Gatineau police raid home

Three people in Gatineau are expected to be charged with cruelty to animals after police discovered close to two dozen pets in poor health while investigating a complaint of disorderly behaviour.

Police said they were first called to a home on Harold Street inGatineauon Friday when they noticed the presence of a large number of animals.

Animal control officials removed five cats and a ferret, determined they were aggressive and in poor health and later had them euthanized.

Police then obtained a search warrant and seized the remaining animals. In total 17 cats, two dogs and one ferret were seized.

A 47-year-old woman, a 42-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman were all arrested on Monday and are expected to be charged with two counts each of animal cruelty.

The Outaouais SPCAwill now examine the animals' health before police complete their file.

These charges come about five years after the same family was sentenced to 30 days in jail because more than 40 carcasses of dogs and cats were found in an Aylmer backyard.