Probation in case of cat abandonment

A couple who moved away without their pets, resulting in the death of five cats due to lack of food or water, were sentenced last month for their crimes, a combination of probation and fines.

Karlee Lynn Strum, 32, and Dominic James Welch, 28, moved from Cloquet to Arkansas in December 2023, but left seven cats behind without access to food or water. Four cats were dead by the time someone entered the apartment 18 days later. A fifth cat died the same day it was rescued and two cats were nursed back to health.

At the time, Strum and Welch were extradited from Arkansas to Minnesota and charged in Sixth District Carlton County Court with 21 animal abuse crimes: seven counts of felony overwork/mistreat animals—torture, seven counts of misdemeanor overwork/mistreat animals—abandon, and seven counts of misdemeanor overwork/mistreat animals—deprive of food/shelter.

Both were sentenced June 10. Each pleaded guilty to one charge: Strum to misdemeanor depriving animals of food/shelter and Welch to a felony charge of animal torture. Successful completion of probation for Strum will result in a dismissal of the charge; for Welch, it will reduce his charge to a misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint, two Cloquet police officers responded to the home, and called Welch and Strum to discuss the cats. Welch said he had a friend caring for the cats and provided his contact information. The friend told police he never agreed to watch the cats, and provided several screenshots of text messages showing he rejected the request to watch the cats. Strum gave the first name only of a friend she claimed was supposed to be watching the cats, but didn’t give a last name or any kind of record of their conversation. Later, she said her friend did not agree to watch the cats because Welch’s friend was watching them. Police ultimately concluded that the couple allegedly “knew they did not make any arrangements for anyone to provide the necessary care for the seven cats in their apartment” when they left Cloquet.

A nationwide warrant was issued for their arrest on Feb. 13 and the couple were arrested the same day.

According to court files, two family members wrote letters on behalf of Welch, who was diagnosed with a number of cognitive disabilities as a child, explaining that he was easily influenced and allegedly under Strum’s control. He has always been a pet lover, they said, and cited a neighbor in the Sahlman Court apartments who said they saw the couple packing. Welch apparently brought the cats into the car only to have Strum tell him to put them back in the apartment because she had a friend checking on them.

Despite the letters, Welch appears to have taken more of the blame by pleading guilty to a felony versus a misdemeanor.

Strum was placed on probation for one year and must pay $50 in court costs. Welch was sentenced to serve nine days (with credit for nine days already served). He will be placed on supervised probation for two years and must pay $960 in restitution to Carlton County Animal Rescue — which cared for the surviving animals — plus a $50 fine.

Strum is not to acquire any new pets or animals during probation.

Carlton County Animal Rescue is a young and growing organization formed over the past several years, stepping into the void left when the Friends of Animals Humane Society dissolved in 2018.

For now, the nonprofit aims to care for pets that need new homes, and ultimately pair them with adoptive families. Some are strays, others are surrendered, and still others need a new place to live after their owners die or are incarcerated. A few, as in this case, are deserted.

Under the terms of probation, Welch may not own or possess any animals during probation and must follow through with the recommendations of mental health or any other care providers.

Find out more about Carlton County Animal Rescue at http://www.ccarescue.com, @Carlton County Animal Rescue Community Group on Facebook or call 218-900-7066 to volunteer or adopt a pet.