58 Cats Discovered Inside Home Of Vernon Hills Woman

VERNON HILLS, IL — Police said they found 58 cats living in the home of a Vernon Hills woman last month. Javorka L. Gasic, 53, of the 100 block of Maplewood Drive was arrested on Oct. 4 at her home under the village's prohibition on harboring more than three animals at a time. She faces two counts of cruelty to animals and one count of operating a foster home without a permit, according to Lake County court records.

Gasic has pleaded not guilty to the charges and a pre-trial hearing has been set for Dec. 3. She faces a separate suit filed by the Lake County Department of Animal Care and Control, which is due back in court Nov. 14.

Vernon Hills police were called for a complaint about the smell coming from a townhome, which was later briefly determined to be unsafe for human habitation, a police spokesman told Pioneer Press. Officials told the Vernon Hills review four of the cats found in her home have subsequently died, while the other 54 are still receiving care at the county's animal control facility.

In August, another Vernon Hills resident was charged with animal cruelty to felines. Police reported a 28-year-old woman abandoned several cats when she moved out of an apartment in the 700 block of Court of Birch.

More information about Lake County Animal Care and Control: