100 dogs taken from San Fernando Valley rescue organization

Posted: 07/03/14, 6:42 PM 

About 100 dogs have been taken from a San Fernando Valley rescue organization amid allegations of neglect, officials from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services said Friday.
Animal control officers responded to a property in the Pacoima area and found what they said in a statement were dogs living in deplorable conditions.
In addition, animal control officers from the East Valley Shelter and the LAPD’s Animal Cruelty Task Force responded to a second location in Van Nuys where more dogs from the same investigation were found and taken.
The dogs were taken to the East Valley shelter, according to the statement.
Animal Control officials said an investigation is ongoing and would not provide further details except that some dogs were sick and required medical attention.
Christianna Billman, who has run Los Angelitos de Dios animal rescue for eight years, said she understands how the city could see that there were too many dogs on her properties, but that the timing was unfortunate. She said several small dogs were going to other rescuers who had agreed to take them, but then who backed out at the last minute, creating a back up.
“I don’t know why this is happening,” she said. “I don’t want to say anything that would jeopardize their safety.”
She has not been charged, she said.
Officials from animal services said the dogs are part of an investigation and cannot be adopted.
The dogs are creating space issues animal services officials said, and they are hoping members of the public will consider adopting those that are ready for homes this weekend.
“This is an appeal for help,” according to a statement animal services. “Facing the busiest time of the year with the Fourth of July, kitten season and full shelters, we need help from the rescue community, media and potential adopters to spread the word: Now is the time to adopt from any one of our six city shelters to help us make lifesaving space.”