Image
© KGO-TV
Three dozen Chihuahuas, some of them 2-week-old puppies, were seized from two Watsonville residences earlier this week and heading to foster care while waiting for permanent homes.

Officials with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter seized the dogs while executing two search warrants, the first Monday at an apartment on the 100 block of East Beach Street, and the second Tuesday at a relative's house on the 0-to-100 block of Alexander Street, said Todd Stosuy, the shelter's field services manager.

"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 investigation was prompted by a phone call from the landlord of the East Beach Street apartment complex, who was concerned no one was caring for the Chihuahuas, Stosuy said. During that investigation, they discovered the resident's mother lived at the Alexander Street residence, and eventually obtained search warrants.

Eleven Chihuahuas, six of them puppies, were removed from the apartment, and 25 Chihuahuas, 10 of them puppies, from the Alexander Street house, Stosuy said, adding it "looks like there were three separate litters."

The investigation is continuing, and it has not yet been determined whether animal neglect charges will be filed. A misdemeanor charge carries a maximum of up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $20,000, while a felony conviction carries a maximum penalty of one year in state prison, Stosuy said. In addition, a new state law prohibits anyone convicted of misdemeanor animal neglect from owning a pet for up to five years, and for 10 years for a felony conviction.

Meanwhile, the dogs are being housed at the shelter's two locations in Live Oak and Watsonville. They will soon head off to foster homes, and Stosuy issued a call to potential adoptive families. "We need people who are interested in having a new, loving family friend to adopt some of these guys," Stosuy said.