New Bedford woman charged with animal cruelty after dead cats found in overheated car

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department said that a woman was accused of animal cruelty after two dead cats were allegedly found dead in her overheated vehicle.

53-year-old Brandi Lyn Mosher was charged with four counts of animal cruelty.

The department said that officers assisted New Bedford Animal Control for reports of animals trapped in a car on Rockdale Avenue on July 15.

Officers said they saw a black cat moving inside the vehicle as well as smelling an “overwhelming, foul odor.”

The temperature of the vehicle was measured at 106 degrees Fahrenheit in the front and 131 degrees Fahrenheit in the rear.

Mosher allegedly told police that three cats were living in the vehicle, and that she had left it for two hours with an electric fan running and food and water inside.

Police said a search of the vehicle found two dead cats that had apparently been deceased for weeks, as well as debris and personal belongings.

Mosher was taken into custody and the surviving cat was surrendered to Forever Paws Animal Shelter.