IVOR

An Ivor woman faces animal cruelty charges after the Southampton County Sheriff Office’s animal control officer discovered 33 cats and kittens on her property.

According to Lt. Camden Cobb, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, in July, the animal control officer had been approached by individuals with concerns about the welfare of animals at a residence in Ivor. After investigating the complaint, a search warrant for the residence was obtained and executed in the 10000 block of New Road in Ivor on Aug. 21.

During execution of the search warrant, 33 cats and kittens were seized because the resident of that address — Patricia Kinlaw, 72 — had been previously convicted of animal cruelty and was court-ordered not to own cats.

A veterinarian was on scene with law enforcement during search, and identified two cats that were in need of immediate medical attention.

After those animals were examined and treated, warrants were obtained on Kinlaw for two counts of felony cruelty to animals; second or subsequent offense and three counts of misdemeanor selling of animals after being convicted of animal cruelty or neglect.

Kinlaw was arrested without incident on Sept. 3, and released to bond that same day.

“The Southampton Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the several animal control officers from other jurisdictions for their assistance in collecting and housing the cats and kittens seized during this investigation,” Cobb said, explaining that Greensville, Isle of Wight, Sussex, and Surry Animal Control officers assisted with this case.