Two Springfield women have been arrested on animal cruelty charges.
Springfield police were called to the 900 block of Phillips Avenue on Wednesday to investigate reports of animal abuse.
Two dogs and five cats were found severely ill and malnourished. Six dead cats were found in a cooler.
58-year-old Lori New and 51-year-old Freda Ferguson were charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, cruel treatment to animals as an owner, and improper disposal of dead animals. New is in the Sangamon County Jail.