Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding - 160 animals seized from rescuer

Hoarding - 160 animals seized from rescuer
Hemet, CA (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jun 22, 2007
County: Riverside
Disposition: Alleged
Charges: Misdemeanor

Alleged: Sylvia Gyimesi

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 11641

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull)

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Suspect was in animal welfare field

A woman who runs a rescue service could face charges of neglect and animal cruelty after authorities said they found 130 dogs and cats living in squalid conditions at her home.

Riverside County animal control officers acting on an anonymous tip went to the home in the Sage area south of town on Friday morning and removed dogs that included Chihuahuas, dachshunds and poodle mixes, along with larger animals and some cats.

The owner was not home and the mobile home smelled of urine and feces, animal services Capt. Tammie Belmonte said.

Sylvia Gyimesi, 50, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise she operates "Best Buddies Rescue" as a pet adoption service out of her home but does not have a kennel license.

"I rescue them from being euthanized," she said.

The animals were well-cared for even though some were sick, she said.

"The air conditioning is on and they have food and water," she said.

Animal services veterinarian Michele Toomoth said the animals she saw were not in seriously poor shape, although some were skinny and had skin conditions.

The animals will be kept in a shelter until the case is resolved or until the woman formally turns over the animals to the county, which would try to find homes for them, animal services spokesman John Welsh said.

Case Updates

County officials said they need to find homes for 160 dogs and cats seized from a home where they were reportedly living in squalid conditions.

Riverside County animal shelters are full and most of the animals are being held in a temporary facility in Banning, animal services department spokesman John Welsh said this week.

"We are in desperate need for loving homes for these animals," Welsh said. "Right now, we are so full."

The animals were seized June 22 from a home in Sage, south of Hemet. Homeowner Sylvia Gyimesi said she ran an animal adoption service called Best Buddies Rescue out of the home but has shut it down.

Gyimesi said she has formally turned over responsibility for the animals to the county, except for a few personal pets and animals she is looking after for others.

"I've decided I'm not going to do rescue anymore," she said. "It's taken too much out of me."

Gyimesi could face charges of animal neglect and cruelty, officials said.

Source: North County Times - July 8, 2007
Update posted on Jul 10, 2007 - 6:35AM

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References

North County Times - June 23, 2007

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Hoarding - 160 animals seized from rescuerHemet, CA (US)

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Hoarding - 160 animals seized from rescuer
Hemet, CA (US)