NM man charged with animal cruelty

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - A man who lives west of Las Cruces has been indicted on animal cruelty and other charges arising out of an investigation in which more than two dozen dogs and fowl were seized from his property.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that 60-year-old Jack Catlan was indicted on 53 counts.

Complaints from neighbors about excessive noise and a foul odor prompted an investigation in April that found 25 dogs and as many as 100 chickens and ducks at Catlan's home.

Catlan referred questions to his attorney, Dania Johnson, who didn't return a call seeking comment.

In 2007, Catlan faced charges after authorities seized dozens of animals from his house.

But a judge dismissed that case after ruling that too much had time passed in bringing the case to trial.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News