A man in his 70s who lives in a community north of Kalmar has been fined 52,000 kronor for gross animal cruelty, SVT reported. The County Administrative Board in Kalmar had to take in and euthanize 33 cats found in his home.
Over a four-month period in 2024, the board found 22 adult cats and 11 kittens in the man's villa. In its report, the board wrote that he had exposed the cats to "long-term suffering" and that none of the cats was fit for a continued life without more or less major treatment or investigation. Most of the kittens had been exposed to suffering for most of their lives.
According to the police investigation, the man said he had given the cats food, water and a roof over their heads, but that he let sick cats die on their own rather than take them to a vet. The board wrote that his view of animal care was "beyond all criticism" and that parts of the home "stank of ammonia and cat faeces".
The man denied the offence. He admitted having 24 cats but denied that he had exposed them to serious suffering through intent or negligence. He has been convicted of exposing 24 cats to suffering.
Under the Animal Welfare Act, a keeper must promptly give a sick or injured animal the care it needs or euthanize it.