Authorities on Thursday reportedly removed 136 dogs from a Southern California home and issued the owners misdemeanor citations for alleged animal cruelty.
Police arrived at the home of Edward and Jo Reitkopp at 2:30 p.m. after receiving an anonymous tip, local station KCAL9 said. The dogs were “ranging anywhere from puppies to elder dogs in various stages of medical issues.”
{mosads}“Based on what was found inside of the home, it was deemed to be uninhabitable and the City of Orange Code Enforcement [team] red-tagged the residence,” Sgt. Phil McMullen, the Orange County Police Department’s public information officer, told ABC News. “Also, based on the condition of the animals, the poor health that some of them were in, different stages, the two occupants of the home were issued citations.”
Orange County Animal Care had to remove the animals from the home in hazmat suits and masks due to the smell in the home, according to KCAL9. Police said the investigation is still ongoing and charges could be increased for the owners.
The dogs, mostly Shih Tzus and Malteses, were reportedly covered in feces, urine and flies.
“There was very little furniture inside of that residence, and there was dog excrement, urine all over, inside, on the floor,” McMullen told KCAL 9. “It appeared to be unlivable. The smell was unbearable for me. I’m surprised how people can live in that situation.”
The dogs are receiving treatment at Orange County Animal Care and will later be put up for adoption. Animal care officials said on their site Wednesday that they were already at 112 percent capacity.