40 dead cats discovered in Paso Roble apartment

San Luis Obispo County Animal Services is currently investigating a case of crimes against animals after 40 dead and 6 live cats were found in an apartment.

The apartment was red-tagged after animal control discovered the cats’ remains.

A neighbor at the Presidio apartment complex, Leo Sharon, was shocked when he heard the news.

“It’s just sad. How can you have so many cats and just let them die there? said Sharon.

An apartment tenant, Mary Lumsden, said she was given her cat Lily by the former tenant who is under investigation for animal cruelty, Laurie Bryant.

“One of the cats is Lily’s mother and the other is Lily’s aunt,” Lumsden said. “I know she had those two. They mainly lived outside. They didn’t come in that often.”

Lumsden has lived in the complex for 14 years, but said the former tenant of Unit 4 moved out last year.

“She moved out a year ago, in October,” Lumsden said.

Laurie Bryant did not return our calls.

Laurie’s mother, Jacqueline Bryant, responded but declined to release any information about her daughter.

According to a recent statement from SLO County News, a Facebook group for local information, Laurie Bryant has stepped down from her role as moderator during this time.

Paso Robles police said no arrests have been made.

District Attorney Dan Dow added that this case has not yet been referred to his office for review. However, he said a person convicted of animal cruelty could face up to three years in prison.