Woman Charged After 54 Cats Found Living in Filth Inside New Hartford Home

July 25, 2025

NEW HARTFORD, NY – A foul odor complaint from concerned neighbors led to a shocking discovery inside a home on Elm Street: 54 cats living in deplorable, neglectful conditions.

On July 3, 2025, officers from the New Hartford Police Department, along with the Town’s Animal Control Officer, responded to the residence and launched a full investigation. Over the following two weeks, dozens of cats were removed from the home, which officials say was in an extremely unsanitary and unsafe state.

The Town Codes Department was also brought in to address multiple other violations on the property. Many of the cats have since been safely rehomed, thanks to the tireless work of the Animal Control Officer and a network of animal welfare organizations across Oneida County and beyond.

On July 24th, police arrested Tanja Delmedico, 47, in connection with the case. She now faces two charges:

▪︎ Animal Cruelty (Misdemeanor)

▪︎ Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor)

Delmedico was processed and released with an appearance ticket to face the charges in New Hartford Town Court this August.