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ORANGE, Calif. (FOX 11) - Authorities seized dozens of dogs from a home in a gated community in Orange Thursday afternoon in what's become a major investigation into animal cruelty.
For several hours, upwards of 100 dogs were taken by animal control at the home located in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Road. Based on the conditions authorities found the home in, the home was red-tagged making it inhabitable.
Aerial images from SkyFOX showed Orange County Animal care officials wearing hazmat suits and removing animals one at a time from the large home.
Orange police said they received an anonymous tip of animal cruelty at that residence and said the residents of the home allowed authorities to go inside to conduct a welfare check.
The dogs were all small breeds, mostly Shih Tzus and Maltese poodles.
The dogs ranged from puppies to elder dogs in various stages of medical issues, according to Orange police. Based on the condition of the animals and the poor health some of them were in, the residents of the house were issued misdemeanor citations for animal cruelty.
However, police say they could also face felony animal cruelty charges.
Some neighbors said the homeowners breed the dogs to sell them.
All of the dogs taken by authorities on Thursday were taken to OC animal care who say that if they end up getting custody of the dogs, they will adopt them out and make sure they live happy lives.
The investigation is ongoing.