A judge in the US state of Ohio will review a decision to enforce a 10-day jail term handed to a "lonely" 79-year-old woman who refused to stop feeding stray cats in her neighbourhood.

Key points: Nancy Segula has been the subject of various complaints and citations for feeding stray cats

Nancy Segula has been the subject of various complaints and citations for feeding stray cats She was ordered to serve a 10-day sentence for contempt of court after she "freely admitted" to ignoring an order to cease and desist

She was ordered to serve a 10-day sentence for contempt of court after she "freely admitted" to ignoring an order to cease and desist Police are standing by the decision, arguing Ms Segula created a "nuisance situation"

Nancy Segula, who lives in Cleveland, first earned the ire of her neighbours in 2015, when a swarm of cats began to appear on her property.

Despite complaints and subsequent citations issued by authorities over several years, Ms Segula continued to feed the felines unabated, violating a city ordinance making it illegal for people to feed dogs and cats that are not their own.

After refusing to comply with authorities' repeated requests to cease and desist, Ms Segula was given a 10-day "stayed" jail sentence in May — meaning it was suspended with the understanding she would comply with the court order.

However, during a review hearing last week she "freely admitted" that she was still feeding stray cats and was subsequently ordered to serve the existing sentence for contempt of court.

"I miss my own kitties. They passed away; my husband passed away," Ms Segula told Cleveland.com in response to the ruling.

"I'm lonely. So the cats and kitties outside help me."

Following widespread criticism, Garfield Heights Municipal Court Judge Jennifer Weiler announced she would hear the case herself. It was originally handled by Magistrate Jeffrey Short.

A new court date has not been set.

Garfield Heights police defended the penalty, taking to social media to argue that their "only intention in the case was to... alleviate a nuisance situation created by Ms Segula".

"Over a period of time, the animal warden has removed 22 cats from Ms Segula's house," it said in a statement.

"The warden turns the stray cats to Forever Friends, where the cats are spayed or neutered and receive appropriate medical attention."

ABC/AP