STRUTHERS, Ohio - A Struthers woman faces charges after police in that city were called to rescue three people being assaulted at an animal rescue shelter.

When officers arrived at New Lease on Life Rescue on East Midlothian Boulevard Tuesday, they said they had to break up a tangle of people on the floor of the business.

According to a police report, Tiffany Mesko, 33, became upset when shelter employees refused to return to cats to her that she had left there for care.

A shelter employee told officers that she didn't want to return the two cats to Mesko because she had difficulty caring for just one cat.

Police were told that Mesko threatened to kill one of the cats and threw it behind a counter, slamming cages and yelling.

Witnesses say Mesko grabbed one employee by the hair, striking, scratching, and biting her.

Another woman who tried to intervene told police she was bitten, scratched, and punched by Mesko.

A third woman was kicked in the leg, according to the report.

Mesko told police that she was the one attacked by shelter employees.

On her way to jail, police say Mesko slipped out of her handcuffs and had to be threatened with a Taser before she allowed police to handcuff her again.

The Mahoning County Jail refused to accept Mesko for medical reasons.

Mesko was issued a summons to appear in Struthers Municipal court to answer three assault charges.

Mesko faces another court hearing on October 5.

According to its Facebook page, New Lease on Life Rescue is dedicated to rescuing pets who can no longer stay in their current homes or are facing euthanasia in animal shelters.

Following the incident, the shelter changed its policy for people with appointments or those who wish to drop off an animal.

The shelter's doors will now be locked, and customers must call or text 330-397-8270 so a volunteer can open the door.