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Seventeen of the animals were found dead, and the remaining 20 were rescued in severe distress, investigators said. โThe cats and kittens who were allegedly the responsibility of Ms Colello obviously suffered a terrible fate,โ Walker police chief David Addison told the Guardian. โThe number of animals affected by the cruelty is heartbreaking. โOur department intends to send a clear message that this kind of abuse will not be tolerated in Walker.โ Authorities said the area where the cats were was clean, hygienically speaking, but the extreme heat and lack of veterinary care had taken a serious and inhumane toll. Walkerโs animal control agency, representatives from the animal shelter of the nearby community of Denham Springs, and volunteers from the nonprofit Rescue, Rehome & Repeat responded to provide medical treatment and shelter, according to Louisiana news outlet WAFB .