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Police Charge Couple Who Tried to Stop Cats' Removal From Newburgh Home

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two people were arrested and charged after police said they tried to stop an animal control officer from removing scores of cats from a 100-year-old man's Hudson Valley home.

Newburgh police told the Times Herald-Record that the cats were discovered while officers were checking on the welfare of the man and his 68-year-old son.

Authorities said the son was found to be housing and feeding between 50 and 100 cats since a couple began dropping them off starting last June.

When an animal control officer from the city and the local SPCA arrived Monday to remove the cats, the couple grabbed the officer and punched her in the face, police said.

The pair was charged with attempted assault and obstructing governmental administration.

Officials said most of the cats were taken to a shelter, but some remain in the house.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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