Woman found with 104 dogs in filthy Palmdale home
By: Associated Press - | ∞
PALMDALE -- Animal control officers found 104 dogs living in a feces- and urine-stained home later declared unfit for habitation because of shattered windows, broken pipes and a damaged roof.
Fifty-seven dogs were impounded and property owner Linda Papineau, 48, was ordered to find new homes for another 45 dogs by Jan. 30. Papineau was cited for operating an illegal kennel.
The impounded animals are too aggressive for adoption, officials said.
"They have the wild type demeanor," said Michelle Roache, Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control deputy director.
Code enforcement officers went to the house Tuesday to serve a warrant for the property having more than the maximum two dogs allowed as well as various health and safety concerns.
Officer Chuck McKaughan said the animals were emaciated and there were "large accumulations of fecal matter" and the stench of urine inside the home.
"General conditions were not sanitary," McKaughan said.
Papineau said she rescued the abandoned dogs, adding many of the dogs she takes in are malnourished when she finds them.
"It takes a while to recover. They don't recover overnight," Papineau said.
McKaughan confirmed there was plenty of food on hand for the dogs.
"She's well-intended perhaps," he said.
Papineau said she bought her 2.5 acres in 1986 when it was outside city limits and zoned for agriculture, which permitted kennels. The land was annexed by the city sometime in the 1990s and the area was rezoned, she said.
Building & Safety inspector Bud Davis posted a sign on her property stating it is not inhabitable until repaired. Papineau can be at the home to care for her dogs but cannot sleep there, officials said.
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Galaxy wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:35 PM:The big brother will be in everyons bed soon, who's business is it, if she owned the property, The american way.
johan wrote on Jan 20, 2007 5:34 AM:how did her neighbors let the situation get out of hand? people need to be aware of what's happening right next door to them
Soon wrote on Jan 20, 2007 8:45 AM:How could she be well intentioned-no one in their right mind would keep animals in those conditions. She should be committed, she is obvioulsy not well.
Kept wrote on Jan 20, 2007 8:48 AM:Owning land does not give someone the right to abuse animals.
xyzginger wrote on Jan 20, 2007 9:09 AM:Galaxy -- you are overlooking the fact that the woman is a collector of animals. There were so many dogs, of which most were not housebroken, that she could not keep up with cleaning and removing their waste from the house and yard. The living conditions were unhealthy for dogs and humans. Also, the newspaper article does not mention the pregnancies and cannabilism of the puppies and the weak and old dogs, which is normal behavior for overcrowding. This has NOTHING to do with Big Brother. This is about unacceptable social behavior. Dogs do not thrive in overcrowded conditions. Also, how many of these "stray" dogs, actually, have owners looking for them? There are many types of animal cruelty. This is one of them. I'm sorry but THE AMERICAN WAY is not animal cruelty or property owners creating a nusiance for their neighbors and the neighborhood.
deladring wrote on Jan 20, 2007 10:47 AM:Sounds as though this lady got in way over her head. She needs help. Lets not heap abuse upon abuse. Anyone who really cares could check into ways to help the dogs and this lady.
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