Dozens Of Animals, Some Dead, Found In Hoarder's Diamond Bar Home

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — On Tuesday, Los Angeles County deputies and animal control found dozens of animals, some of whom were dead, in an elderly woman's home in Diamond Bar.

"She felt it was her life's work to take care of stray animals," said neighbor Victor Bermudez.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the woman was placed on a psychiatric hold. On Wednesday, crews worked to clear the home of the dead animals and assist the ones who survived. Many of the dead animals, which were reportedly cats, were brought out in plastic bags. The ashes of others were also found in wooden cremation boxes.

According to Bermudez, the elderly woman lived alone after her husband had died 12 years ago. The last time Bermudez was inside the woman's home was 20 years ago to help move boxes.

"I only went into the front entrance and I saw that she was kind of a hoarder because she had lots of boxes all over the place," he said. "But I didn't go all the way into the house, so I didn't know the full extent."

The Inland Valley Humane Society would not comment on the specifics of the suspected animal hoarding case, but signs posted on the home warned of a hazard materials investigation. Another notice said high readings of ammonia inside were making unlivable conditions and the removal of animal feces was needed in order to rid the home of the toxic odor.

"The smell would get pretty bad and it would linger over to our side," said Bermudez. "And we would have to put like fly traps and stuff to try to stop all of the flies from coming over."

Neighbors claimed that the home was in worse shape in the past with items piled in the front and back of the home. It was eventually cleared and neighbors were hopeful that she was on the way to getting better.

"It's heartbreaking that she would live like that," Bermudez said. "I never saw any lights on in the house but I just thought maybe she was up in the bedroom or something."