74-year-old Rita Fiala from Oakes, North Dakota, is charged with animal cruelty and neglect for keeping 29 malnourished and sick cats in an unhygienic home.

Rita Fiala, 74, from Oakes, North Dakota, is facing one felony charge of animal cruelty and 29 misdemeanor charges of animal neglect. Authorities discovered 29 live cats and four dead ones in her home, which lacked proper food, water, and sanitation. Fiala was living in the bathroom, and the conditions were found to be unhealthy, with significant waste present. The surviving cats were taken to a rescue and found to be sick and unvaccinated.