WFAA-TV

Animal control officers wore protective suits while collecting the feral cats.

GRAPEVINE -- A neighborhood nuisance will soon be just a vacant lot in Grapevine. Crews are razing a house in the 1300 block of Airline Drive today.

Last month, animal control officers and the Dallas SPCA rounded up dozens of cats. Earlier this week, the police department said 85 cats had been captured, along with 19 raccoons and five possums.

The operation began in August because animal control officers received a tip. The owner of the house let investigators inside to take a look around.

The next day, officers returned with a warrant to remove the animals.

Those who participated in the evacuation were forced to wear protective suits to shield them from health dangers. The smell was so strong, it could be detected down the street.

Police said a married couple in their 60s lived in the house and provided food for the cats.

The house had no air conditioning and smelled terrible. It was in such filthy condition the city condemned it.

The couple living there had to relocate. As for the cats, many were malnourished and sick. Some were in such poor health, they had to be euthanized. Those that could be nursed back to health are being put up for adoption.