Ontario couple face animal cruelty charges after discovery of 23 abandoned cats

A couple in Thunder Bay, Ont., is facing animal cruelty charges after the discovery of 23 abandoned cats and kittens in mid-June.

• 23 cats found abandoned in dog crate; SPCA seeks public's help

• Charges possible in Thunder Bay cat abandonment case

The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society saidthe animals, including the body ofa dead kitten,were discovered in a single dog crate in Wilson Street Park.

The cityhumane society, which is an affiliate of the Ontario SPCA, launched an investigationthatled to witnesses coming forward and the suspects being identified.

A man and woman have now each been charged with four counts of animal cruelty, the society announced in a written release Thursday.

The charges are:

• one count for causing distress
• one count for permitting an animal to be in distress
• one count for failing to provide care for general welfare
• one count for failing to provide medical attention

Charges of animal cruelty can lead to a sentence of up to two years in jail and fines of up to $60,000.