Animal Care & Control Seizes 26 Dogs, Other Animals from Home

Animal Control officers visited the property last week following up on an anonymous animal health and welfare call.  The owners could not provide proof of vaccination and would not allow officers to examine the premises.  According to investigators, many of the animals were kept indoors and not allowed to go outside.  Consequently, the home’s floors were soaked with urine and its walls were heavily damaged.

Many of the 26 dogs had skin conditions, possibly mange and ringworm.  Some had facial deformities.  Officers also seized:

• 30 gerbils, some with skin lesions and broken legs
• 9 roosters, all with mite infestations
• 1 extremely overweight potbellied pig
• 1 goat with lesions on its front knees from walking on them because its hooves were overgrown
• 1 bird

The owner claimed some of the 26 dogs were spayed.  The male dogs were not neutered and the owners could not produce vet records or proof of rabies vaccinations.  Pinal County Animal Care & Control does not have jurisdiction over fowl and hooved animals but after consultation with state officials the roosters, pig and goat were taken from the property.

“Cases like this just break our hearts.  Not only were there too many animals kept in unsanitary conditions, most were suffering from a lack of basic care,” Animal Care & Control Director Kaye Dickson said.  “This is our third case of excessive animals or hoarding for 2013 and I hope it is our last.  We are grateful to have many volunteers who are trained to assist with these large cases so we can assess the animals on intake.”

The owner refused to surrender the animals voluntarily but a judge issued a warrant to seize them after Animal Care & Control established legal grounds for public health, welfare and safety.  The owner agreed to surrender the roosters, pig and goat.  The seized animals are not available for adoption at this time.  Animal Care & Control has to assess each one and then petition a judge to award custody of the dogs to Pinal County before determining if any can be rehabilitated and put up for adoption.

Pinal County Building Safety officials also examined the property and provided notice of corrective actions that the homeowner must undertake to make the property is safe for occupancy.

Marijuana and a shot gun were located at the scene and taken into custody by Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies who assisted on the call.

For information about lost or found pets or to see information on animals for adoption at the shelter, go to Animal Control on www.pinalcountyaz.gov or use this shortened URL: http://goo.gl/LqALP.  Lost and Found is in red near the bottom of the page.