Animal sanctuary in 'terrible shape'
DU professor, students witness atrocities at Tiger Ranch
Maddy Lauria
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
Last update: 3/25/08 at 8:54 PM EST
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"In almost 10 years of practicing, I've never seen animals that bad," Morrow said. Although reports vary on the exact number of animals that were found at Tiger Ranch, Morrow said that 406 cats were recovered, although initial numbers cited 600-700 cats were removed from the property.
Tiger Ranch also held nine dogs, eight horses, a goat and a handful of chickens. In the four freezers on the property, 106 dead cats were found. Thousands of dead cats are also suspected to be buried in pits on the property, Morrow said, but they have not been accounted for except by the acknowledgement of the skeletons and protruding limbs in the yard.
When the first 17 cats were found in an isolation room of Tiger Ranch on Thursday evening, Bruno faced at least 14 charges of animal cruelty. She was arrested and posted $50,000 bond on Tuesday, March 18.
"Tiger Ranch became the perfect niche for her," said Dr. Carolyn DeForest, a 2007 Duquesne clinical psychology graduate and volunteer for Voices For Animals, who described Bruno as a hoarder and sociopath. DeForest had been investigating Tiger Ranch and Bruno's case since last summer, when she serendipitously met Morrow, Voices for Animals volunteer Rebecca Reid and former Butler County Humane official Deborah Urmann at a conference.
"It was a perfect meeting of the minds," Urmann said.
"…and consciences," DeForest chimed in.
As disdain followed the mention of Tiger Ranch, the four began collaborating and eventually got an active response from the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA).
"The move had to be made," Reid said.
Tiger Ranch was run by 45-year-old Bruno (also known as Linn Marie), who used the 29-acre facility to house animals that other people had apparently given up on. Tiger Ranch, which was established in 1994, was intended to be a place where animals could roam freely, or live inside. The actual house consists of about seven rooms, about five outside dwellings and at least one garage. Some feral cats were allowed to wander the property and were considered to be in the best condition, Morrow said. Domestic cats were kept inside of the house, along with two of the dogs.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
A M
posted 3/27/08 @ 12:50 PM EST
Finally, an article that is completely objective yet completely truthful at the same time! This is the first article I have read that really made sense to me and truly "got" the story. (Continued…)
June S Ware
posted 3/29/08 @ 10:08 PM EST
This is becoming more and more prevelant.Somethings are being done, but not enough. We must show the public that these people cannot get away with these situations. (Continued…)
zeekers
pam
posted 4/01/08 @ 10:34 PM EST
I have noted this and will forward to other freind. We need to put a stop to animal abuse
mike downs
posted 4/02/08 @ 3:45 PM EST
animal abuse by ANY means is horrible
Linda
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:22 PM EST
i have been asked to sign a petition in her defense. i needed the whole truth behind the story.
Lydia Selwood
posted 5/20/08 @ 12:30 AM EST
IF this article were objective, the following statement would NOT have been written:
"Disease was prevalent on the site, including symptoms of virulent systemic calicivirus, which is similar to Ebola in humans, and characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and possibly internal hemorrhaging with a mortality rate of 40-60 percent in adult felines,"
Not only is FCV Common, OFTEN the CATS ARE A-SYMPTOMATIC! Most recover and become carriers. (Continued…)
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