More than 100 cats rescued from Northern Cambria home after domestic dispute turns violent

A Wednesday night dispute between a husband and wife in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, ended with the woman jailed on assault charges and more than 100 cats pulled from what police called “deplorable” conditions inside the home.

According to investigators, officers were called to a Philadelphia Avenue residence late Wednesday after 51-year-old Denise Marie Hewitt allegedly threatened to kill a man in his sleep. Police allege the confrontation escalated when the man fired a .38-caliber handgun into the floor, after which Hewitt allegedly came at him with a knife. The man told police he struck Hewitt several times to stop the attack.

Once officers entered the home, they found more than 100 cats living in what police described as “deplorable” conditions, with floors covered in feces and some animals found dead. Police said some of the deceased cats had been kept in a freezer.

The surviving cats are being transferred to area rescue organizations and humane societies for care.

Court records show Hewitt faces two counts of aggravated assault and charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats, according to the docket. She is being held at Cambria County Prison after failing to post 10% of $20,000 bail. Police said Thursday that no charges had yet been filed in connection with the conditions in which the animals were found.

Police said the home had previously been the subject of complaints, and the investigation remains ongoing.