A couple have been charged with 47 counts of animal cruelty, 47 counts of animal neglect and one count of child neglect after authorities found dozens of cats living in filth.

Joseph W. Clark , 44, and Laurel D. Clark, 49, were evicted and left the cats behind in their Town of Delavan home over Labor Day weekend, a criminal complaint says.

Police officers at the house Sept. 16 could not enter because the smell of waste was so bad.  The home had to be ventilated for three hours.  When authorities entered, they found two cats dead and feces covering the floors.

The Clarks and their teenage son had been living in those conditions for at least six months, Laurel Clark said.

The Clarks are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 1, and each could face a maximum of 71 years and three months in prison if convicted of all counts.

Update 3/14/01:  A judge sentenced the Clark's to serve 90 days in jail and four years' probation and to pay $81,000 in restitution.

Joseph W. Clark and Laurel D. Clark both pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of neglect of their teenage son and to nine misdemeanor charges apiece of failing to properly care for an animal.

Walworth County Circuit Judge Michael Gibbs also ordered each to perform 160 hours of community service and not to possess or care for any animals. They were ordered to pay $4,617 restitution to the Lakeland Animal Shelter and $76,400 to the owner of the town of Delavan house.

Thirteen of the 47 cats survived.

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