19 Severely Neglected Dogs Discovered In 'Unventilated' U-Haul; 2 Arrested For Animal Cruelty
When police first found them, crammed into the back of an unventilated U-Haul, the 19 dogs were in deplorable condition.
The animals, most of them starving and dehydrated, had been living in their own urine and feces for at least a week. Many were packed tightly into crates with 2 or 3 other dogs.
The conditions were so bad that after their rescue, two of the dogs had to be euthanized.
“They were at the point of no return. ... Despite the best efforts of our medical team, we weren't able to rehabilitate them,” Contra Costa County Animal Services spokesman Steve Burdo told the Contra Costa Times. “When you see the conditions that they came from, it's surprising more weren't in that condition.”
Fortunately, the other rescued dogs are expected to survive, and more than half are already on their way to happier new lives. According to Bay City News, 10 of the dogs have found new forever homes. Seven are still awaiting adoption.
Police reportedly discovered the dogs in Contra Costa County, California, on Feb. 28 after they contacted a couple -- Bomon Jeong and Linda Espinoza -- regarding a parking issue.
The 19 dogs, including a pit bull, a shih tzu and several Lhasa apsos, were then discovered in cages at the back of the couple’s old U-Haul, the Times reported.
The dogs had been deprived of food and water, according to a police report, and many were living in their own waste. It was “a highly stressful” and unsanitary environment for animals, police said.
Jeong and Espinoza were arrested and charged with animal cruelty, KRON-TV reported. The couple’s next scheduled court appearance is March 29.
Contact Contra Costa County Animal Services at 925-335-8300 if you're interested in adopting one of the rescued pooches; or visit PetFinder.com or your local animal shelter to take home another animal in need.
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