76 Animals Seized at Gorman Home

Seventy-two dogs, two potbellied pigs and two hogs were removed from a house in Gorman, authorities said Friday.

The animals, which appeared to be in relatively good condition, were taken from a house in the Quail Lake community on Thursday, said Kaye Michelson, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

The owner, whose name and address were not immediately available, had been arrested in an unspecified incident, Michelson said.

Animal control officers went to the home on Monday after receiving a tip that several animals had been abandoned on the property. They met an unidentified caretaker who said she was trying to find homes for 130 dogs, several pigs, goats and sheep that were without water due to a broken water main on the property.

One dog had died of heat exhaustion and several others were in crowded cages, Michelson said.

Animal control officers hauled water to the house for several days while the caretaker attempted to repair the water main and place the animals with local rescue groups, Michelson said. The remaining dogs, pigs and hogs were impounded late Thursday when those efforts failed.

“We wanted to give them the opportunity to resolve the water issues and place the dogs,” Michelson said. “But by Thursday, we knew we needed to take them for their own safety.”

The animals, which are being held at the Baldwin Park animal shelter, will become available for adoption within two weeks, Michelson said. The dogs are shepherd mixes and boxer mixes. Anyone interested in adopting the animals may visit the shelter, at 4275 N. Elton Ave., from noon to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.