More than 35 Chihuahuas found in possibly abandoned Phoenix house during eviction

More than 35 Chihuahuas were found in an apparently abandoned house in Phoenix after Maricopa County constables went to the house with an eviction order Thursday morning.

Arcadia-Bitmore Constable Carolyn Lane responded to the house near 46th Street and McDowell Road after the new owner filed an eviction complaint and summons on May 29 because the previous occupant had not taken the dogs.

Lane said she found the Chihuahuas in deplorable conditions.

"There's a lot of feces in the property," Lane said. "I wouldn't think it would be healthy for the dogs."

Inside the house, Lane and another constable found the dogs' food in an unopened, 50-pound bag on the counter. The dogs could not access the food, according to Lane.

There was only one A/C unit in a back bedroom. Phoenix reached a high of 106 degrees, and the area was under an excessive heat warning.

The Chihuahuas had access to the backyard through a doggie door, where they had a big tub of drinking water. Lane also noticed some of them get in the water, using it as a pool.

Lane, concerned for the health of the dogs, contacted the Arizona Humane Society, which arrived at the house around 4 p.m. to evaluate their conditions and see if they should be removed from the house. 

According to Lane, the dogs were found to be healthy by the Humane Society, including some of the older dogs. 

"If the situation does become dangerous with the A/C going out they will probably take the dogs," Lane said.

Because the dogs are healthy, the Humane Society must wait 72 hours for the owner to respond to their notice, which was posted next to the door.

"Animals are personal property," Lane said. "You can't just take them. You have to try and reach the owners and have them come get them. That's the process. After 72 hours (the Humane Society) can take them."

The Humane Society will return to the house every day to check on the dogs, she added.

Neighbors don't mind furry occupants

When outside, the dogs can be seen through a gate, where they bark at anyone they see.

"I don't find them to be a big nuisance," said William Sherry, who lives next door. "They make noise. They're dogs."

Sherry has lived in his house more than seven years, and he said he spoke to his neighbor every once in a while, describing him as pleasant.

Sherry was not surprised to hear that there were so many dogs in the house next door.

"I knew there was an awful lot, they're all over the place. They're hard to count," Sherry said.

Sherry mostly saw them behind the fence, which is only feet from the wall of his house. On occasion, he saw one or two in the driveway. He never saw his neighbor walk the dogs.

To Sherry, the dogs did not appear sick, injured or malnourished, but he did sometimes see them nursing, as if they had puppies recently.

He questioned how they were getting enough care and attention.

"I don't know how he can take care of 30 dogs," Sherry said.