CoCo Co. sheriff's deputies find 19 neglected dogs in Uhaul

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (BCN) - 19 dogs were found severely neglected in the back of a U-Haul trailer in unincorporated Contra Costa County late last month, county animal services and sheriff's officials said today.

The dogs were reportedly found when sheriff's deputies contacted a couple on Feb. 28 at Crivello and Pullman avenues in the Bay Point area based on a parking issue, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jimmy Lee said.

Deputies discovered that inside an unventilated U-Haul the dogs were in such bad shape that two had to be euthanized when they were released to Contra Costa County Animal Services, spokesman Steve Burdo said.

Burdo said the 19 dogs, mostly consisting of the Lhasa apsos breed, were living in tight conditions, sometimes in their own feces, that had not been cleaned in at least a week.

One of the two dogs that had to be euthanized due to severe health problems had a large tumor on its back. Many of the other dogs had suffered abrasions, dehydration and other issues.

But, after receiving veterinary treatment, 10 of the dogs have found new homes, Burdo said. Seven more dogs are currently waiting for adoption.

The dogs' former owners were identified as Bomon Jeong and Linda Espinoza. They were arrested and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office confirmed they were each charged with animal cruelty.

Their next scheduled court appearance is March 29.