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Bradenton Couple Face Animal Cruelty Charges

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Jason Odra

Published: February 6, 2008

BRADENTON — Prosecutors are expected to review a case of animal cruelty after police say they found more than 24 cats and 100 hamsters living in poor conditions.

Bradenton police responded to a complaint Monday at a condominium in the 1900 block of Fifth Street West. A neighbor, police said, saw flies and cat feces on a window. Police said the residence was cluttered and roaches were crawling on the floors.

"I opened the back bedroom and my chest began hurting from the ammonia smell in the cat urine," police Officer Mark P. Hashem wrote in a report.

Brenda Steiner, 52, told police she was trying to help the animals. Her husband, Mark, also lived in the condominium, police said.

The city code enforcement department deemed the home not fit for habitation. The Steiners have until the end of the week to clean up the mess or face possible fines, police said.

Manatee County Animal Services seized the cats and hamsters.

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