A woman has been arrested and charged with 93 counts of animal cruelty after being accused of leaving 106 cats in a U-Haul in California, police said.

Jeannie Maxon, 69, was arrested after the Merced County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about distressed cats inside a U-Haul in a Taco Bell parking lot in Santa Nella, southeast of San Francisco, on June 29.

Maxon was booked into the Merced County Jail. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for comment via email outside of regular office hours. It was not clear at time of writing whether Maxon had an attorney.

Why It Matters

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people that it can be very dangerous to keep pets inside of a locked car in the summer, even for short periods of time.

Santa Nella reached highs of 99 degrees Fahrenheit on June 29, the day the cats were found, which can be deadly for animals trapped inside a vehicle.

What To Know

Deputy Ross of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Taco Bell parking lot to see at least 20 cats inside of the van’s window in clear distress, the sheriff’s office said in a statement posted on Facebook alongside pictures, the link of which can be found here. Warning: These images may be disturbing to some readers.

When the vehicle was opened, there were “106 extremely emaciated cats, as well as 28 deceased cats. No food or water was located inside the vehicle.” The cats ranged from ages of one week to 8 years old.

The surviving cats were then taken to the Merced County Animal Shelter for treatment with help from the Atwater Veterinary Center.

What People Are Saying

Merced County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook: “The Merced County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that leaving any animal in a vehicle during the summer months is very dangerous. On a warm day, temperatures inside a car can soar to extreme levels in just a few minutes, even with the windows open. This can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and even death of the animal left inside.

“Please ensure that when you’re traveling with your pet, they’re provided with a cool place to stay, offering plenty of shade, lots of water, and food.”

What Happens Next

The cats will be available for adoption once they are medically cleared. The Merced County Animal Shelter is to provide updates on its webpage.