A California woman is facing nearly 100 counts of animal cruelty after authorities made a horrifying discovery inside a U-Haul van packed with cats in the summer heat.
According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Sunday to a Taco Bell parking lot in Santa Nella, where a van was reported to be full of distressed animals. Through the vehicle’s windows, a deputy spotted at least 20 visibly emaciated cats. Animal control was immediately called to the scene.
Upon entering the van, officials found a total of 134 cats — 106 alive but severely malnourished, and 28 already dead. The animals, ranging from one week to eight years old, had no access to food or water in the sweltering interior…