RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – An Apex woman has been charged with multiple counts of felony animal cruelty.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that 53-year-old Stephane Elizabeth Joostema was arrested Friday.
Sheriff’s deputies say the offenses occurred over a period of two years on her property in Pittsboro. The animals involved cats that endured “permanent disfigurement” to their ears and eyes.
Joostema was also charged with confining an undisclosed number of cats and dogs on a porch and more cats in a chicken coop. Over 150 animals were taken from her home in July.
Chatham County deputies first charged Joostema in August with allowing animals to roam at large on the property.
Joostema was being held on bond at the Wake County jail. It isn’t clear if she has an attorney.
