Employees of Santa Barbara County Animal Services seized nearly 450 animals from a rural property on West Camino Cielo Road in Santa Barbara on Dec. 10.
Animal Services Director Jan Glick said the seizure began at 8 a.m. and finished more than 12 hours later. Authorities were alerted to the situation through an anonymous tip.
“It was mostly fowl: chickens, turkeys, quails, Guinea hens, and even some pigeons,” Glick said, adding that dogs, cats, and some farm animals were also confiscated.
The animals are now in protective custody at an undisclosed location in Santa Barbara. The department is in the process of investigating the case. A report will eventually be presented to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether charges should be filed against the animals’ owner.
Glick said the community has been very supportive since the animals were taken into custody.
“One of the things that’s been very helpful is all the people bringing in animal food that’s appropriate for their diets, like scratch and turkey chow,” she said.
It’s uncertain how much of a financial strain the seizure and corresponding housing of the animals will have on the department.
This article appears in Dec 22-29, 2011.
