A mother and daughter have been charged with animal abuse and neglect after five cats and two dogs were discovered locked inside a self-storage unit in Franklin County, Missouri, on Thursday. It is suspected that the animals were kept there for more than a week. Niccole Mullins, 46, and Emily Mannise, 22, of New Haven, Missouri, face seven misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and seven for animal neglect or abandonment, according to sources.
An employee at a nearby veterinary clinic called authorities after hearing noises coming from inside the storage unit. Investigators found urine and feces inside the space. Though there were partial bags of dog and cat food, the animals were without water and showed signs of dehydration. The unit had no electricity or heat. Authorities said temperatures dropped to 29 degrees last week, sources reported.
The women gave conflicting accounts to investigators. Mullins told police the pets had been confined since Dec. 3, while Mannise claimed it had only been three days and insisted that she checked on them daily. Police disputed Mannise’s claim after she was unable to provide the unit’s lock code, sources reported.
Related:Self-Storage Industry Mourns Passing of Denee Burns, Chief of Staff for Bluebird/Sunbird Self Storage
The Humane Society of Missouri took possession of the pets. The women are being held at Franklin County Jail in lieu of a $1,500 bond each.
Sources:Fox2Now, Mom, Daughter Charged After Pets Found in Storage UnitMissourian, Two Charged With Animal Abuse After Pets Found in Storage Unit
ISS Staff
Tenant-Protection Plans for Self-Storage: What They Are, Features and Benefits, and the Keys to Program Success
Control the Narrative: DIY Marketing to Help You Tell Your Self-Storage Facility Story and Connect With Customers
ISS BLOG – Self-Storage Pricing Practices Under Scrutiny: Are the ECRI Chickens Coming Home to Roost?
NationWide Self Storage of Canada Raises More Than $11K for Covenant House Vancouver