Dogs abused in South L.A. are rescued, get new owners

Two dogs found starving and emaciated in a South Los Angeles home have new owners after they were rescued by an Orange County animal center.

Popeye and Sweatpea were 44 and 37 pounds, respectively, when they were found. That was about half of what they should normally weigh, officials said Wednesday.

The dogs are boxer/American bulldog mixes. They were rescued by the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. Their previous owners are facing animal cruelty charges, officials said.

Animal control officlals in Los Angeles had put out a call for help to rescue the dogs, and the Mission Viejo center responded.

Despite being abused, officials at the center said, Popeye and Sweatpea were good-natured.

"It is truly a testament to the nature of dogs that these two were still so friendly and sweet after all they had endured," said Brynn Lavison, Mission Viejo Animal Services supervisor.

The dogs have been adopted by a couple who picked up the animals at the center.

Photo: Popeye, left, and Sweatpea after shortly after they were rescued.

Credit: Mission Viejo Animal Services Center