PITTSBURGH -- A Tarentum woman accused of neglecting and causing the deaths of dozens of cats is out of jail on bond, and new video, which surfaced on Monday, has one person backing the 45-year-old woman.
The preliminary hearing for Linda Bruno, who is also known as Linda Marie, is scheduled for Wednesday. Her attorney, Ron Valasek, did not immediately return a call for comment on Monday morning.
Watch Tara Edwards' ReportOn Thursday, Bruno's Frazer Township animal sanctuary, Tiger Ranch, was raided. Humane Society agents said between 600 and 700 cats, many of them sick and dying, were found on the 29-acre property.
Since the raid, about 50 cats have died. Others suffer from a variety of diseases.
Jennifer Gerkin, who spent a couple days at the ranch last winter while working on a documentary for a school project, told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that there were about 300 cats then, and they all seemed to be well-taken care of.
"I never met anybody so passionate about animals in my entire life," said Gerkin. "These animals were her life."
During Gerkin's time on the ranch, she interviewed Bruno, who told her whether animals were healthy, sick or abused, she simply could not turn any animals away.
"We give cats a chance," Bruno told Gerkin in the documentary. "If you bring a cat to Tiger Ranch, it's a viable alternative to euthanasia."
Gerkin said although the latest news is heartbreaking, she believes Bruno had good intentions.
"If I didn't know her, I would think, wow, what a horrible person but being that I've met her and I've seen how much she loves animals, it's completely not what it is," said Gerkin.
Bruno has been arraigned on 13 counts of animal cruelty and neglect.
More than 400 cats were transferred to the Clarion County Humane Society in Shippenville, Pa., where they will be treated by veterinarians and quarantined indefinitely.
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which organized the raid, is asking for donations to help with the cats' continuing care.
Monetary donations may be made via the
PSPCA Web site; via phone at 215-426-6304, ext. 217; or mail them to Pennsylvania SPCA, 350 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19134.
Donations of supplies may be sent to the Clarion County SPCA, 9562 Route 322, Shippenville, PA 16254. The following supplies are needed:
medium dog cages
clean blankets (new or used)
rabbit cages
clean towels (new or used)
newspaper
hot water bottles
paper French fry boats
disposable paper plates
heating pads (electric or microwavable)
cat food
cat litter
litter pans (one-and-half- inch deep by one-foot long)
basic vaccinations
metal water bowls
amoxicillin
bleach and cleaning supplies
leukemia tests
paper towels
surgical gloves
rubber gloves
vaccinations
humidifiers
cat Nutri-cal
cat treat
flea treatment
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