Police and animal control officials say there are no plans to lay charges in connection with the weekend discovery of more than 40 dead cats in freezers in an Edmonton home.

On Saturday, police officers investigating a possible break-in found more than 40 dead cats in freezers and 20 live cats in the home.

City enforcement supervisor Dallas Holroyd told CBC News that 47 cats were found in the freezer.

A police spokesman said the animals had died of illnesses and the female owner didn't know what else to do with them.

Holroyd said the 20 live cats and kittens were removed from the home and are being kept in a city pound.

In light of the removal, he said the city would not be fining the owner for having too many cats. City bylaws prevent Edmontonians from owning more than six adult cats at a time.

"The bylaw violation has been remedied," he said, adding that the fines are normally used to achieve compliance.

Holroyd said the cats would be kept in the pound while the city determines their health and condition. He said by the end of the week, a decision would be made on what to do with the animals, such as returning some to the owner or putting them up for adoption.

Police have also said they have no plans to lay criminal charges.