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26 Dogs, Young Girl Removed From Menifee Home

MENIFEE (CBS) — Authorities say they removed dozens of dogs and a young girl from a home that was filthy with feces.

When deputies and Child Protective Services went to the Menifee home, concerned for the health and well-being of a young girl who lived there, they were surprised to find 26 dogs, two cats, a frog and a parakeet at the house. Authorities said the animals were fine and showed no signs of abuse, but one dog had tumors and had to euthanized.

"I expected to find maybe 10 to 15 dogs in this home because we had been there," said Monique Middleton of Animal Friends of the Valleys. "But no, we found 26 dogs inside the house."

Animal control said conditions inside the house were deplorable.

"The house conditions, though, were the normal hoarding situation, where you're going to have feces all over the house, no areas that are not covered in feces," Middleton said.

Child Protective Services say they went to the home to check on the girl's living conditions because of the large number of animals also kept there.

CBS2/KCAL9's Greg Mills spoke to the homeowners, John and Traci Gears, who would not go on camera. Traci Gears said she loves animals and has taken in strays and dogs people couldn't afford to keep because of the worsening economy. Some of the dogs had puppies, resulting in 26 dogs in one home.

The Gears allowed a cameraman in, who captured footage of a clean, though somewhat cluttered, home. The cameraman said he didn't detect any odors.

The Gears said their daughter will be allowed to return to them next week. Four dogs considered to be owned by the Gears will be returned to them, but the rest of the dogs have been taken to Ramona Humane Society in San Jacinto.

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