Wild Chihuahua Dog Pack Rescued

by Ben Lipson

A Chihuahua dog rescue organization headed by an ex-daughter-in-law of actor Gregory Peck took into custody a pack of nearly 170 wild Chihuahua dogs in Lancaster, California, sparing them from death at a Los Angeles area animal shelter, Reuters News Service reported recently.

The feral dogs were taken into the animal shelter by county animal control officers last November in the desert town of Acton, north of Los Angeles.

The dogs allegedly were found in what a prosecutor described as "abominable" conditions.

An animal control officer testified at the court hearing that the dogs had wrought havoc in breeder Emma Harter’s house, burrowing holes in her walls and furniture and leaving in their wake waste and piles of dead chickens and geese.

Ms. Harter’s condition led the officers who came to her house to have her taken into a psychiatric facility for evaluation.

In the animal shelter, the Chihuahuas reportedly killed dogs from rival packs. Both L.A. Animal Control officer Lt. Sheri Koenig and Kim Peck believed that the dog’s interests would be best served by transferring them to breeders who could both provide better care and also tame them.

Calls came in from more than 400 persons in the U.S. and Canada offering to take them. After screening all volunteers, about 20 breeders were advised they would have a few dogs placed in their care.

Besides solving the problem of caring for the Chihuahuas, the move will save the county money. More than $500,000 was spent on care already, according to Superior Court Judge Lisa M. Chung, who heard the case.

Ms. Harter, who is 72, faces two felony counts of animal cruelty and six misdemeanors, including battery on a peace officer. If convicted, she faces the possibility of 44 months behind bars, prosecutors said.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.