Louisiana Woman Faces 66 Charges After 17 Cats Found Dead, Dozens More Rescued

WALKER, La. — A Louisiana woman is facing dozens of animal cruelty charges after authorities say 17 cats and kittens were found dead and 20 others were rescued from a Walker building where temperatures had climbed to nearly 100 degrees.

The investigation also expanded to a Denham Springs home, where deputies say another 12 cats and kittens were discovered inside a sweltering garage. One of those kittens was later euthanized because of the severity of its condition.

Madison Rebecca Colello, 29, of Walker surrendered to authorities Thursday morning and was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center. According to the latest jail records cited by local media, Colello faces a total of 66 charges connected to the investigation, including felony aggravated animal cruelty charges and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

The case began Saturday, September 12, when Walker Police responded around 12:30 p.m. to a report of possible animal cruelty at Waffles Way Home on Florida Boulevard. Officers discovered an open door and entered the building to conduct a welfare check.

Inside, authorities say they found numerous cats and kittens confined without access to food or water while temperatures inside approached 100 degrees. Some of the animals were already dead, while others were alive but in serious distress.

Police ultimately found 37 cats and kittens at the Walker location. Seventeen were dead and the remaining 20 were rescued.

Walker Animal Control responded along with representatives from the Denham Springs Animal Shelter and volunteers from Rescue, Rehome & Repeat to assist with the surviving animals.

The investigation did not end at the Walker location. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies also went to a residence on Sabine Drive in Denham Springs, where they discovered 11 kittens and one adult cat inside a garage.

Authorities said the garage itself was clean, but investigators were concerned about the extreme heat and what they described as a lack of veterinary care. Five of the kittens were reportedly in poor condition, and one was suffering so severely that it ultimately had to be euthanized.

The discovery at the second location expanded the investigation and increased the number of charges Colello faces.

Initial reports listed 54 charges stemming from the Walker investigation, including 17 felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 37 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Updated jail records later showed another 12 charges connected to the animals discovered at the Denham Springs residence, bringing the reported total to 66.

Between the two locations, authorities reported finding 49 cats and kittens. At the Walker location, 17 of the 37 animals were found dead and 20 survived. At the Denham Springs location, deputies reported finding another 12 animals, including 11 kittens and one adult cat. One of those kittens was later euthanized.

The sheer number of animals involved required assistance from local animal control agencies, shelters and rescue organizations to care for the survivors.

The case also highlights the serious danger extreme Louisiana heat can pose to animals confined inside enclosed structures. Temperatures can rise rapidly, particularly when animals have inadequate water or ventilation and no way to escape the heat. Prolonged exposure can lead to severe dehydration, heatstroke, organ damage and death.

Authorities have not yet released a complete explanation of how the animals came to be housed at the two locations or how long they had allegedly been living under the conditions investigators discovered.

Police have also not announced whether anyone else could face charges. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains active and additional charges are possible.

The surviving animals are receiving care following their rescue.

The charges against Colello are allegations. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.