Downstate woman accused of hoarding 59 animals

EDWARDSVILLE — A southwestern Illinois woman is facing two misdemeanor animal-cruelty counts after authorities say they found 56 cats and three dogs in her home.

Prosecutors in Madison County charged 52-year-old Shawn Scherer on Friday. They accused her of keeping the animals in crowded, unsanitary conditions.

One cat and a dog found in Scherer’s house by police serving a search warrant this week later had to be euthanized.

Each charge is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Scherer couldn’t be reached for comment Friday. Online court records don’t show whether Scherer has an attorney, and she doesn’t have a listed home telephone number.