14 dead cats found in suitcase, woman facing charges

A Cornelius woman is facing 14 felony counts of animal cruelty after an employee of her apartment complex discovered a suitcase full of 14 dead cats.

Cornelius police say an employee of One Norman Square Apartments found a small suitcase near a dumpster, and recognized that it belonged to Aimee Cook, 41, who lives in the complex. When the employee tried to throw it away he or she found the dead cats inside. The employee also recognized one of the dead cats.

When police asked Cook abut the cats, she said she was overwhelmed when they had unplanned litters. She said she tried to give the cats to no kills shelters, but couldn't and killed them instead. Police say Cook never contacted the Cornelius Animal Shelter.