GUILDERLAND — Two Guilderland residents face felony animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered four dead cats and several malnourished animals in an apartment following an eviction.
Marleak J. Cain, 27, and Elizabeth A. Poore, 41, were arrested Friday by Albany County Sheriff’s investigators and Guilderland police.
The investigation began Thursday when officers responded to 1670 Western Avenue to assist Guilderland police with reports of possible animal cruelty.
Inside the residence, investigators found an adult cat and three kittens dead in a crate covered by a blanket for several weeks.
Two additional adult cats and two small dogs were found alive but without adequate food or water.
The surviving animals were turned over to a family member who was not involved in the neglect and who reported the incident.
Authorities determined the animals were abandoned after Cain and Poore were evicted from the property Tuesday.
Despite knowing the live and deceased animals remained inside, the suspects left them behind, according to Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr.
Both defendants face four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a class E felony, along with eight counts each of torturing or injuring animals and abandonment of animals, both class A misdemeanors.
Cain and Poore were issued appearance tickets for Sept. 4 in Guilderland Town Court.
Poore was turned over to New York State Police on active bench warrants.
