Man arrested after 40 animals seized from Kansas home

ELLINWOOD, Kan. – Authorities in central Kansas say a 63-year-old man has been arrested after 40 animals were seized from his property.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said his office assisted the Golden Belt Humane Society and the county health department Thursday at a home north of Ellinwood, 240 miles (390 kilometres) of Kansas City, Kansas.

Officials removed 20 cats, four dogs and two chickens from inside the home. Another 10 cats, two dogs, a horse and a donkey were found outside. A decaying horse carcass that had been there for months was found in a barn.

Bellendir says Cletus Wolford was arrested on charges of cruelty to animals, maintaining a public nuisance and obstruction of officers.

All the animals were taken to the Golden Belt Humane Society.