Deadline looms for woman to reclaim animals after foreclosure

By Jeff O'Brien

Friday, March 6, 2009 | 2 a.m.

The deadline is fast approaching for the owner of dozens of animals discovered last year inside a foreclosed home at The Lakes to find new homes for them.

A total of 13 dogs, five cats, three turtles, more than 100 Madagascar cockroaches, a snake, a ferret and several mice are still being temporarily housed at the Lied Animal Shelter — caught in the midst of a custody battle between their owner, Stacey Williams, and the city of Las Vegas.

When deputies from the Las Vegas Constable's Office entered the home on Whittier Court to issue an eviction notice on Oct. 22, they discovered the animals, said Jim Seitz of the Lied Animal Shelter.

City of Las Vegas Animal Control responded to the scene and transported all of the animals to the Lied Animal Shelter because Williams, who was renting the house, was in violation of city code that limits the number of animals a person may keep.

Williams' attorney, James Buchanan, said she is allowed to keep three dogs and three cats under city code, but the remaining animals will be put up for adoption at 5 p.m. today unless she comes up with a list of suitable owners.

Those animals that are not reclaimed or adopted could be euthanized, Buchanan said.

"She told me that she's found people, but none of them have come forward," Buchanan said. "I don't have any information on them and the deadline is right around the corner."

The list of animals she wants to keep must be approved by Animal Control, Buchanan said. Williams is trying to decide which animals to keep and which to let go, he said.

Williams could not be reached for comment.

A Sphinx cat and two of the dogs — a 4-month-old puppy and a Great Dane — already have been euthanized due to illness, Seitz said.

The rest of the animals are still at the shelter and the cockroaches have multiplied. The animals have been moved into a bungalow with more room, Seitz said, but some of them need more care than the shelter can provide. The shelter has spent more than $20,000 over the past four months looking after the animals, Seitz said.

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].