Woman with 107 cats on trial for animal cruelty

Disturbing images were shown on Wednesday at the trial of a 66-year-old woman accused of keeping more than 100 cats in her midtown home.

For months before Diane Way’s April 2011 arrest, neighbours had complained about the stench coming from her home.

Way, a former lawyer and George Brown College professor, has pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty.

“Certainly we believe in our case and we believe in our client,” defence lawyer Walter Fox told CityNews.

Three-hundred photos presented in court by Det. Scott Grondin, showed the conditions the cats were living in, including overflowing litter boxes and feces covering the washroom, microwave and the livingroom floor.

Fox said the public shouldn’t rush to judgement of his client.

“That’s only part of the picture, the pictures are only part of the picture, you have to see the whole case and the whole trial to form an opinion and certainly that’s the way the system works.”

The judge also heard testimony from a firefighter who said when he entered the basement of the home he saw at least 20 cats poking their heads from the rafters. He said some of the animals had oozing sores.

Officials were first notified about the home after a federal election pollster called them after canvassing a property on Manor Road, near Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton Avenue, and noticed a foul odour.

Way willingly handed over the animals to the OSPCA. The animals were then treated for respiratory and other health problems.

“The home was not a proper living environment for the animals,” said the OSPCA’s Alison Cross. “They were roaming free which can cause concern with the cleanliness of the environment.”

On Thursday an OSPCA official will take the stand.

With files from Toronto Staff

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