Mail carrier's "secret job": "The stench was unrealistic"
A 77-year-old Florida mail carrier was arrested after authorities discovered over 100 animals kept in squalid, feces-filled conditions inside her home without air conditioning.
Gail Justino, a mail carrier in Florida, has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after a search of her home revealed 108 animals kept in deplorable sanitary conditions. Authorities suspect that Justino had been collecting and even stealing cats and dogs along her mail delivery route.
Approximately two weeks ago, local police raided Justino's home in the city of Stuart. According to local Sheriff John Budensiek, officers were forced to wear protective suits due to the overwhelming stench inside the property. Investigators found piles of waste and feces reaching heights of about 30 centimeters, with no air conditioning or ventilation operating despite the intense heat.
"The stench was unrealistic," said Budensiek.
In total, about 70 cats and dozens of dogs were rescued from the house. Staff from the animal welfare society who received the animals reported that they were in poor physical and mental condition, with some showing signs of severe trauma and lethargy.
The sheriff noted that Justino was released on a $50,000 bail, adding that authorities hope the legal process will ensure she receives appropriate mental health treatment. Since the rescue, dozens of residents have visited the animal welfare facilities in an attempt to identify their missing pets. Professionals confirmed that several animals have already been returned to their original owners after being identified as having been stolen or collected by the mail carrier during her rounds.
