Five dead cats discovered in carriers in woods and three dead rabbits in hutches have led to criminal charges of animal cruelty against the animals' Butler County owners and caretakers.

Authorities said the animals died of starvation and other factors.

Butler County humane police officer Janice Lawniczak filed separate cases at the office of District Judge Sue Haggerty in Saxonburg.

Charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals in the deaths of the cats are Kevin Delehanty of Cranberry Township and Tamara Rusz of Mars.

Jennifer Mele of Winfield Township is charged with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in the death of the rabbits.

This is an excerpt — read more about this case in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.