Woman who had 150 cats in NJ mansion fined $35,000

[July 11, 2009]  CHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) -- A woman accused of keeping 150 cats in her New Jersey mansion has been ordered to pay more than $35,000 in fines and restitution.

Wanda Oughton pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide adequate shelter. The judge in Chester Township Municipal Court also told the 62-year-old she's not allowed to own more than six cats over the next three years.

Authorities in March found the cats living in urine- and feces-covered rooms in Oughton's home, once valued at $1 million.

Oughton's lawyer Lawrence Fox told the judge the problem arose because of Oughton's love for animals and she became "overwhelmed by the situation."

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Information from: Daily Record, http://www.dailyrecord.com

[Associated Press]

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