Suncoast Animal League
1030 Pennsylvania Ave
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Phone: 727-786-1330
Fax: 727-786-1377
info@suncoastanimalleague.net

13 Chihuahuas rescued from filthy hoarder

Sunday, March 18, 2008
The call came in from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department at about 8:15pm. At least a dozen Chihuahuas had been found living in a Palm Harbor house in what appeared to be grossly unsanitary conditions. Thirty minutes later, a Suncoast Animal League rescue team, consisting of Executive Director Rick Chaboudy, volunteers Sherri McGahee, Amy Reinhard and Paula Zaremski, and Board Member Annette Dettloff, arrived at the scene.

Initially, the outside of the house appeared normal. Even the four Chihuahuas sitting inside the window sill, barking at the approaching strangers did not seem out of the ordinary, but a quick walk around the sides and back of the house pointed to numerous indicators that an animal hoarder lived inside. First indicator was the foul odor that permeated through the walls and wafted outside. Next were the windows covered on the inside with newspapers. Through the seams of the taped newspapers, deputies and Suncoast Animal League representatives could see the dogs roaming along piles of garbage and dog feces. With the safety of the animals in question, the responding officers decided it was time to enter the house.

Two deputies wearing oxygen masks and protective clothing, climbed through an open window in a back bedroom, which was closed off from the dogs. When the deputies opened the front door to allow the rescue team entry, the horrendous odor of urine, feces and garbage escaped into the front yard, as did several very large roaches. Not good! But the rescue team had no choice; the dogs had to be removed.

As the team prepared to enter the house, the owner – “the hoarder” – arrived on the scene. From a few feet away she was heard telling deputies “I take good care of my dogs.” We wondered to ourselves, “Is she trying to avoid an arrest for animal cruelty or does she actually believe the situation is acceptable?” Either way, the statement was false.

Expecting the worst, the team entered the house. Except for approximately 10 square feet in a corner of the living room, the floor area of the entire house was covered with garbage, dog feces and roaches. There was no safe place to step. Roaches and flies dotted the walls, and spider webs occupied every corner of the ceiling in the hallways and bedrooms. The heat of the non-air-conditioned house, combined with the awful stench and visual experience, took its toll on everyone. We wanted to get out of that house as quickly as possible, and the scared little dogs could not be caught fast enough.

Not a minute too soon, we secured the dogs in the League’s van and left the Palm Harbor house. Minutes later we arrived back at the shelter where staff member Denise Eberius and volunteers Carly Schutte and Charles Kennedy had been working feverishly to prepare space for the Chihuahuas. Upon arrival, the dogs were bathed and allowed to settle in for the night. Two dogs were rushed to the AA Emergency Center in Palm Harbor.

The owner, who has been staying at a local hotel for nearly a month, may be facing animal cruelty charges. As with the 121 dogs taken from the puppy mill, we will seek custody of these little ones, treat their medical needs, have them spayed or neutered and give them a chance at a much better life.

Suncoast Animal League would like to thank the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department for acting quickly in this situation, for the sake of these 13 neglected and abused dogs. Good job!