Despite dozens of complaints and a documented history of animal violations that stretches half a decade, Temecula animal control officials said that until Jan. 23 they never had the authority to stop Elisao Jimenez, 66, from creating what turned out to be one of the most gruesome animal cruelty scenes they have ever encountered, the North County Times reported.
Officials found 204 dead and decomposing animals and 115 feral cats and dogs at the home on Liefer Road. Those animals were later euthanized. Nine 5-week-old puppies were rescued.
Officers were alerted to the property after receiving a call that two vicious dogs were running loose at the address. When animal control officers arrived, packs of dogs were attacking each other and killing one of their own. About 70 dogs circled officers and threatened to attack, forcing authorities to kill them.
Records obtained from Temecula's animal control agency show officers responded to Jimenez's home numerous times but did little more than cite him for barking violations and for having too many dogs, the paper reported.
Jimenez was arrested by Temecula police on suspicion of animal cruelty. He posted bond on $5,000 bail and was released from jail.
For the full story read the North County Times article "Long History of Violations by Animal Owner."
