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The Epic GazetteAn arrest, not a conviction — here's what police have actually said
Public Safety · Oakdale

Nine Dead Cats, One Arrest, an Investigation Still Open.

Oakdale Police say a welfare check on 6th Avenue turned into a search warrant, and a search warrant turned into a felony animal cruelty arrest.

Published August 23, 2026 · Public safety brief

Oakdale Police say what started as a report on a 6th Avenue property ended with nine dead cats recovered from the home and one person under arrest on felony animal cruelty charges.

Location

The 100 block of 6th Avenue, Oakdale.

What was found

Nine dead cats, which police believe had been dead for one to two weeks.

Charge

Felony animal cruelty. The suspect's identity has not been released.

Status

An arrest was made. The investigation is still open — this is not a conviction.

How it started.

Oakdale Police Department and Oakdale Animal Services responded to the 100 block of 6th Avenue after receiving a report, according to CBS Sacramento's reporting. Officers contacted the tenant, who police said voluntarily let them into the home.

What officers found.

During that initial walkthrough, police said they found several dead cats and detained the tenant. Detectives then obtained a search warrant, and the follow-up search turned up more deceased cats — nine in total, which police believe had been dead for one to two weeks.

A search warrant led to more than officers expected to find on the first walkthrough.

Where it stands.

One person was arrested on felony animal cruelty charges. Police have not released the suspect's identification, and the investigation remains ongoing. An arrest is not a finding of guilt — the charge will be tested in court, not in this article.

Source: Reporting by Brandon Downs, CBS Sacramento (published July 2, 2026). This page is an original summary, not a reproduction of CBS's reporting — read their full account at the link above. We will update this brief if Oakdale Police release further information.