GFPD Animal Seizure 3/12/2025
March 12, 2025
Animal Seizure
For Immediate Release
GREAT FALLS, Montana – Yesterday (3/11/25), Great Falls Police Department’s (GFPD) three Animal Control Officers (ACO), accompanied by Patrol Officers and Detectives, seized 18 cats from a residence in the 600 block of 12th St N. Today, the ACOs, retrieved two more cats from the home.
ACOs received an anonymous report from a community member concerned about the possibility of 40 cats living in very poor conditions, in the basement of a residence. ACOs attempted to conduct the welfare check but were unable to obtain permission to enter the premises. Further investigation, with the assistance of Montana Probation and Parole Officers and GFPD Detectives, resulted in the Cascade County Attorney’s Office issuing a search warrant for Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
Aggravated Animal Cruelty (MCA 45-8-217) is a felony and occurs when a person purposely or knowingly kills or inflicts cruelty to an animal with the purpose of terrifying, torturing, or mutilating the animal, or inflicts cruelty to animals on a collection, kennel, or herd of 10 or more animals. In this case, it was determined the cats lacked sufficient water and the sanitation of the home was not acceptable for inhabitation.
Once the 20 cats were captured, including a mother and her four three-week-old kittens, they were remanded to staff of the Great Falls Animal Shelter at their temporary housing facility.
ACO Ethridge reports, one dog was also impounded during the investigation. Ethridge said, “The cats are friendly and seem to be in relatively good health, considering the conditions they were living in.” Thankfully, no human or animal was injured during the investigation. None of these animals are available for adoption at this time.
City of Great Falls ordinance 6.1.060 limits the number of cats and dogs per residence to two cats and two dogs, unless approved for a Multiple Animal Permit or Hobby Breeder Permit.
