More than a dozen dead cats found on Wake County man’s property; two arrested

More than a dozen cat carcasses littered a property as Wake County Sheriff’s officers searched a residence on Cass Holt Road.

On July 19, officers were called to the property to assist Wake County Animal Control in a large-scale animal abuse investigation.

Twenty-three living cats were recovered from the home of Samuel Peri, 47, of Apex.

According to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, 17 of those cats had to be humanely euthanized.

Five kittens survived and were transferred to a rescue partner.

An additional 16 dead cats were found on the property, a statement from the Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the statement, officers found a dead cat at the front of the house, along with the “strong smell of ammonia.”

Peri and 52-year-old Angela Honan, were arrested Wednesday and were each charged with one count of cruelty to animals, abandonment of animals and failure to vaccinate against rabies.

Authorities have not established how Peri and Honan are related.

Both Peri and Honan were placed in custody at the Wake County Detention Center, each under a $100,000 bond.