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KINGSBURG, Calif. – Fifteen dogs and dead cats were found in a Kingsburg, California home after neighbors complained about the stench coming from the home and dogs barking.

On Sunday, June 9, 2019, police responded to the home in the 200 block of West Orange Street. The neighbors advised that they believed that the home was abandoned and animals were left inside. Officers attempted to contact the owner of the home, but were unable to do so. They checked the backyard where they found trash, animal feces, discarded items, and several dead cats.

While in the backyard, the officers could see dogs inside the home through the windows. The dogs appeared to be distressed, causing them to enter the home. Inside the home there were fifteen dogs, all there without food or water. An additional dead cat was found inside a bedroom in the home.

The floor inside the home was covered in garbage and animal feces. “The fifteen dogs were taken from the residence and transported with the help of the SPCA to the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Selma,” Kingsburg Police said. “The dogs were later treated at Kingsburg Veterinarian Clinic and were all found to have severe flea infestation, as well as other health issues.”

The home was quarantined and the home will be condemned due to the health hazard. The police officers on scene were required to undergo a medical screening and consultation for their own health and wellbeing.

On Monday, June 17, 2019, Yvette Martinez, 50, surrendered to the Kingsburg Police, identifying herself as the occupant of the home. She was arrested for 16 counts of Cruelty to Animals.

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