Animal Control officers busted an illegal dog kennel in San Diego, taking more than three dozen dogs from one home.
Neighbors complained about multiple pets seen around the Encanto home on Skyline Drive, County Animal Services says, and when officers arrived to investigate, they smelled feces and urine from outside the building.
They discovered 44 small Maltese and mixed-breed Maltese dogs inside. Their owner, Matthew Fitch, was running a business called Flor Fitch Puppy Sales out of the home, according to the county.
He had the little dogs so tightly packed in cages it was hard for them to move freely, County Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa said.
“This is a backyard breeder who was more concerned about making money than providing the necessary care for the animals on the property,” said DeSousa.
Fitch agreed to relinquish his animals. He brought several to the Bonita care facility on Saturday, and the other 32 dogs were taken from his property Sunday by animal control officers.
Because only six dogs are allowed on a property, Fitch faces a charge of operating an illegal dog kennel. He was allowed to keep three pets, though Animal Services is making sure those dogs get spayed and neutered.
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Animal Services says most of the other 39 dogs have minor medical and grooming problems like hair loss. Many are about one year old, though the ages range up to 8 years. Fitch requested that several of the animals be euthanized because they are aggressive.
Since none of the pets are spayed or neutered, Animal Services is scheduling surgeries for each of them, as well as grooming appointments.
All the dogs are now up for adoption because Fitch gave them up willingly. While Animal Services is closed Wednesday for Veterans Day, it will reopen Thursday.
