TEMPE, Ariz. — An Arizona animal rescue helped to remove over 30 chihuahuas from a filthy home Thursday.
KNXV said officers with Tempe Police Department had Arizona Humane Society assist on a hoarding case at a home where dogs were living with no air conditioning and eating food off dirty floors.
Over 30 chihuahua dogs were discovered in the home ranging from a week old to eight years old, according to KSAZ.
“We had an amazing day assisting the Tempe Police Department on a search warrant. We were able to remove 31 dogs from deplorable conditions. Today is the first day they have not had to live in filth,” said AHS’ Director of Field Operations, Tracey. “Today, they learned what love and compassion are. I am always in awe of my team, but even more so when I can work alongside them.”
According to KNXV, the dogs are receiving medical examinations. They will also be tested for distemper, a serious and contagious disease caused by a virus that can attack the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. It is often deadly.
TPD said on Twitter that they arrested Jennifer Knutson on Thursday at her home for animal cruelty and subjecting an animal to cruel mistreatment.
TPD said on July 20, Knutson “turned over” a dead dog to their investigators for which she allegedly had failed to provide medical care. Knutson reportedly had a history with AHS with over 20 dogs being removed from her home in the past two years including does that had to be euthanized.
According to TPD, a total of 32 dogs were removed which they say included three newborn puppies.
More information about AHS can be found on its website. AHS said they take in about 15,000 animals every year and this case is one in over 6,900 cases of suspected animal cruelty that their investigators respond to every year.
Please contact @azhumane to see about adoption of these pups! #goodcopwork @Tempegov @ChiefJeffGlover @AndreCAnderson1 @JamesSweig pic.twitter.com/F3I2q94Hw6
— Tempe Police (@TempePolice) July 29, 2022
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