23 cats, dog and parrot crammed into bedroom; charges considered

Authorities are considering charges against the owner of a Santa Ana home where 23 cats, a small dog and an African parrot were found crammed into a bedroom.

The eight children who were living in the home were placed Tuesday with family members while child protective services investigated.

In all, 10 people were living in the two-bedroom home, including the eight children between the ages of 2 and 17, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department.

“We had to find a place to put the kids in a safe environment,” Bertagna said.

Animal control responded to the home in the 1500 block of West Sixth Street after a complaint of a foul odor. A Hazmat team was summoned to assist because the smell of ammonia was so strong.

Authorities found a bedroom caked with feces and urine and skinny, malnourished animals. The house was red-tagged Tuesday night and cleaning crews went to the home Wednesday.

Code enforcement was set to evaluate whether the home was habitable.

The animals were being housed at the Orange County Animal Shelter. Animal control has completed its investigation and has submitted a report to the Orange County district attorney for possible prosecution.

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--Nicole Santa Cruz