HONEA PATH — Honea Path police officers have arrested a 47-year-old resident and charged him with neglect of a minor and one count of the ill treatment of an animal.

William Skovian of 707 N. Main Street in Honea Path was arrested Wednesday, according to records at the Anderson County Detention Center.

Honea Path Police Lt. Shawn Boseman said Skovian was living in “very filthy conditions” with a 3-year-old boy, 45 cats, 3 dogs and a pet squirrel.

So far, police have recovered 30 cats, including four that were dead, three dogs and a squirrel, Boseman said.

“We believe 15 (cats) are still at large,” the officer said.

The relationship between Skovian and the child, who is in the custody of Anderson County Social Services, was not immediately known.

In spite of four dead animals, Boseman said Skovian only faces one count of animal cruelty.

“He loves animals and was trying to keep them all,” said Boseman, who indicated that police responded after neighbors complained about odors that had increased over several weeks.

Feces was all through the house, which was also infested with fleas, Boseman said.