Collier County deputies rescued 57 cats on Wednesday from an animal breeder couple who is now facing animal cruelty charges.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, officers went to a residence on Wednesday in Piedmont Court in Marco Island regarding possible animal cruelty and hoarding.
Olga Murphy, 63, and Igor Mursalimov, 54, had been under investigation since April after a Collier County code enforcement animal control officer observed two cats in need of medical attention. The couple held active licenses to breed cats for sale.
On June 9, a judge approved a warrant to search the couple's property and inspect their home. Animal control officers requested law enforcement and veterinary staff to be on-site, as they suspected several cats might need medical care.
On June 11, at around 10:40 a.m., officers entered the residence and conducted an inventory, identifying 57 cats inside the home.
Officers reported that all litter boxes were full of fecal matter and a small backroom that housed 24 cats was covered in vomit, feces and urine.
The cats were removed from the home and a freezer was found in the living room containing approximately 15 to 20 dead cats.
One black female cat by the name of Irene stood out to the veterinary staff on scene. Irene was found suffering from a ruptured eye, an injury she obtained some time in the past, reports say.
According to detectives, Irene was suffering in pain without veterinary care since 2023.
Murphy and Mursalimov both made contact with the officers and agreed to speak with them.
Murphy admitted that each time an animal has an issue, she gets advice from her daughter-in-law, who is a veterinarian in Russia, and administers the care herself.
The couple was arrested and taken to the Collier County Jail for charges of felony animal cruelty.
This continues to be an active investigation.
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