A Silver Spring woman has been charged with 33 counts of animal cruelty after officers with the Montgomery County police department’s Animal Services Division found 11 ferrets suffering from hair loss and fleas in her home.
Animal services officers raided the home of Lisa Oestereich in the 10000 block of Markham Street after someone filed an animal cruelty complaint with the department. Inside, responding officers found the ferrets without food and living in a space contaminated with feces and insects.
Oestereich faces up to 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000 for each of the animal cruelty charges she faces.
Animal services officers removed the ferrets from the home after the raid and the residence was later condemned by county officials, the department said in a press release.
The ferrets are now available for adoption at the county’s adoption center in Derwood after undergoing treatment and cosmetic care.
