Officials with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter seized 36 Chihuahuas from two homes in Watsonville, Calif., and the reason why is not clear. According to a March 8 report by the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the officials had a search warrant for two relatives’ residences and removed the dogs because the people had a lot of dogs and other objects in their home. The dogs were breeding, but there were no other statements made about the dogs’ care and welfare.
The field services manager of the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Todd Stosuy, made the following statement:
"It's a hoarding case first because not only were animals being hoarded, but also objects and possessions," making it difficult for officials to move through the residences, he said. But they're both breeding situations as well, "because the dogs were indiscriminately breeding in the house."
The details are uncertain, but the dogs have been seized and are being put up for adoption.
The entire case began when a landlord made a phone call about dogs in an apartment that he was concerned about. When the police arrived, they “discovered the resident’s mother lived at the Alexander Street residence, and eventually obtained search warrants,” according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
It has not been established whether the people in question actually committed any offense or broke any statutes related to housing animals in the county nor is it clear on what grounds that search warrants were issued.
At the apartment, eleven dogs were removed, six of which were puppies. At the house belonging to the apartment resident’s mother, there were 25 dogs removed, 10 of which were puppies. Since animal neglect has not been determined, evidently having a messy home along with having lots of pets is illegal in California. Breeding puppies, which is an ancient hobby and an honest way of making an income, must also be illegal in California.
It is also interesting to note that although the case is still under investigation, the 36 chihuahuas are already being put up for adoption.
What do you think? Should people have a right to have more than one animal, if they adequately take care of them?
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