Dozens Of Dead, Starving Pit Bulls Found At Riverside County Home

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com/AP) — Dozens of dead or starving pit bulls have been found at an abandoned home east of Los Angeles.

Riverside County authorities say 11 dead animals and 27 others were discovered Wednesday at a filthy, junk-strewn rented property in the unincorporated La Sierra area.

The live dogs, many of which were severely malnourished and could not be walked out on a leash because they were so weak, were impounded. All the dogs were taken to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus in San Jacinto.

Authorities went to the home after a neighbor reported smelling a foul odor.

Animal Services spokesman John Welsh says the dogs were inside an enclosed patio area, a kennel area and a home with the doors shut. He says they may have been there for days or weeks.

Welsh says the dead animals apparently died from exposure or starvation, and the live ones were just skin and bones.

Welsh says the owner may have been an unlicensed breeder and could face animal cruelty charges when he's found.

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