6410-89 Confirm unsafe structure at 1583 Elmwood

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Public Hearing September 11, 1989 Page 6 with the City of Lakewood as Animal Warden, he visited 1583 Elmwood Avenue countless times as a result of animal stench and cate running at large. When questioned bY Chairman Wright regarding how many cate were removed on ~he August 24 visit, Hr. Hearn responded ~hat he and ~he other Animal Warden and the Animal Protective League removed 14 animals from ~he prem- ises. He further s~ated that as many as 6 cats could not be captured because ~hey escaped ~/~rough holes in the walls and floors. When asked by Chairman Wright if 14 cats was an unusually large n,-~ber of animals ~o be removed from a structure, Hr. Hearn responded, yes. He further s~ated ~hat ~he City of Lakewood did not have an ordinance which restricted the of animals a property owner could have on the property. Hr. Hurman then asked Hr. Hunt if on his visit to the property on August 24, was the house cleaned up at all. Hr. Hearn stated, no. Hr. Hearn further stated that he was in every room of the house and noticed litter bOxes that were literally overflowing and it was apparent that they had not been e~ptied in some time. However, he said, with the extreme number of cats, it was hard to tell. He also stated that the floors of the home were urine soaked. When Hr. Hearn inspected the basement, he noticed some unknown liquid substance had seeped through the floors onto the floor joist. He further stated that cat excrement was left on counters, baseboards, floors, everywhere. He stated that even as accustomed as he was to animal odors, his eyes started watering profusely after being in the home for five minutes. Hr. Murman, Legal CoUnsel, asked Hr. Hearn if, in his opinion as a public health offi- cer, was the house unfit for human habitation? Hr. Hearn responded, yes. Chairman Wright then asked Hr. Hartinez if he had any questions for Hr. Hearn. Hr. Mar~lnez responded, no. Chairman Wright then asked Hr. Hearn if the floors in the house were wood? Hr, Hearn responded that the floors in the living room and dining room were wood and the floor in the kitchen was tile. He further stated that all the floors showed evidence of extreme urine stain. Hr. Hartinez asked Hr. Hearn if he had conversations with Hr. Joiner and if he had the opportunity to watch Hr. Joiner move and did he see anything unusual. Hr. Hearn responded that Hr. Joiner shuffled his feet and that it took 15 to 20 minutes for him to answer the door. He stated that Hr. Joiner told him that he had an operation in the past year and that that is why it is very difficult for him ~o ~ake better care the home and the animals. Hr. Hearn stated that he had asked Hr. Joiner why didn't he have fewer cats so that things could be better taken care of. Hr. Joiner did not respond to that question. Hr. Hearn further stated that Hr. Joiner had ~aken cats over the years to the Lakewood An~m~1 Hospital for treatment. Chairman Wright then asked Hr. Mar~lnez if he had anything further to add. Hr. Hartinez responded, 'Hr. Joiner is in his 70's, a veteran of World War II and received the Purple Heart for a wound he received. In 1965, his wife died and apparently Hr.' Joiner has taken in cats to fill a void in his life. I cannot justify Mr. Joiner (and neither can he for that matter) keeping so many cats. It's a matter of the cats coming to the door and his feeling sor.-~y for them and not understanding that he cannot ~ake care of so many cats. He has made some effort. He has spend some money on veterinar- ian care for the cats. At the present t/me, as Hr. Hearn testified, there