A San Diego landlord reached out to law enforcement officials for help after realizing they had not seen their tenant for several weeks. When officers eventually entered the property, they were confronted with a shocking sight.
With support from the Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement officers entered the unit in Vista on October 1. What they found inside was a shock: the entire two-bedroom apartment was stacked floor to ceiling with household items. But it was worse than just that. Within the trash and debris filling almost every inch of the rental property, they found 11 dogs and two cats.
Photos shared with Newsweek by the San Diego Humane Society show several small dogs buried among the rubbish, having created a rudimentary tunnel system to move around their home.
Animal hoarding is a unique type of neglect and cruelty. It occurs when an individual begins to take on more pets than they are capable of caring for.
This results in overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions which, if left unchecked, can have serious health implications for the pets involved and, in some cases, results in not only sickness but also death.
It is estimated that somewhere around 250,000 pets are the victims of animal hoarding annually in the U.S., according to figures published by Animal Shelter Count, a leading data source around pet shelters, rescues and adoptions.
The case faced by the San Diego Humane Society over in Vista earlier this month represents a particularly extreme example.
It took officers four days to clear out the apartment and rescue all of the animals inside. This was due to the incredible amount of rubbish that had been left to pile up inside.
Many of the dogs were found hiding under beds and furniture, making the rescue a multiday effort requiring additional staff, large dumpsters and deep cleaning.
The small dogs, including Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, were frightened and in poor condition, with fleas, skin issues and overgrown nails. They are now receiving medical care at San Diego Humane Society’s Oceanside Campus.
The animals have been placed under Emergency Boarding status, with San Diego Humane Officers continuing to investigate the circumstances around the case. Though 11 dogs and two cats have been retrieved, there also remains the distinct possibility that more pets are hiding somewhere within the property.
As a result, traps and cameras have been set up and will be closely monitored in the days and weeks to come.
“This is a heartbreaking case, but we are grateful these animals are finally safe,” San Diego Humane Society Chief of Humane Law Enforcement Jace Huggins told Newsweek. “Sadly, situations like this happen when pet owners become overwhelmed or face personal challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling to care for pets, please reach out for help before it gets out of control.”
San Diego Humane Society is already at record levels of dog capacity. With the addition of the Vista canines, the organization is now caring for 792 dogs. The public’s support is urgently needed to adopt these pups and the many more besides that are residing at the rescue.
