Hoarding - almost 40 animals Los Banos, CA (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 3, 2005 County: Merced Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Misdemeanor Alleged: Joseph D. Cozzi

Case ID: 5930 Classification: Hoarding Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in CA (US) Login to Watch this Case

Animal control officers found nearly 40 animals living in horrible conditions in the North Valley on Nov 3.

Animal control officers found the dogs on a farm in Merced County and they say it's not their first trip to the property. The animals were found near Los Banos and animal control officers say all 40 of the dogs were eating their own feces and many of them hadn't had any contact with humans.

Locked up behind a pig farm, amongst their own feces, were dozens of dogs who animal control officers say lacked any attention, "A lot of them have diseases. A lot of their teeth were broken from chewing on the fences trying to get out they have a lot of damage to their mouths."

While animals control officers searched the grounds for more dogs, they came across six puppies, just weeks old, whose mother was difficult to catch.

"She had to be captured on the pole ... she has never been socialized with humans at all. The puppies were bedded down in an area of the tules," said veterinarian Dr. Katy Howden.

Merced County animal control officers say the animals' owner, Joseph Cozzi, has been warned in the past to start caring for his dogs.

When they showed up with a search warrant, they say things looked worse. "I wouldn't want any of my animals to be treated like this. It is terrible to see anyone would treat animals this way, the way these animals are being treated," said Detective Kevin Pierce, from the Merced County Sheriff's Department.

Cozzi wouldn't talk on camera, but says many of the dogs were just dropped on his property and he says they were taken care of.

There is a slim chance the dogs may be returned to the owner if the facility is cleaned up. Otherwise, nearly all the dogs will be up for adoption.

Many of the dogs were taken to the Merced County animal shelter. Others were taken to various rescue facilities.

Cozzi is facing charges of animals cruelty, neglect and improper confinement.

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