Dozens of animals — ranging from dogs and cats to a kinkajou and a tarantula — have been removed from an Anne Arundel County property, officials said.
Charges are pending against the owner, whom officials did not identify.
On Aug. 31, five wild animals were taken from inside a home in the 8000 block of Lockwood Road in Pasadena and sent for testing, according to the county’s police department.
Shortly after the first visit government agencies, the owner voluntarily surrendered 10 animals to Anne Arundel County Animal Control. These animals have been taken to rescue groups or adoptive homes.
Animal Control and other government agencies had been working with the owner since Aug. 31, but he still wasn’t taking good care of his animals, said Animal Control administrator Robin Small. On Thursday, authorities served a search and seizure warrant at the home.
Animal Control removed 40 live animals from the property, many of which were not there when authorities first visited. Seized were two dogs, one cat, two turtles, seven birds, four chickens, one goat, one pig, one chinchilla, three snakes, 12 aquatic animals, three geese, one duck, one kinkajou, and one tarantula. One domestic rabbit and numerous quail, all dead, also were removed.
Most of the animals that were removed had no food or water, or had access to unpalatable water. Animals were being housed in conditions that did not meet basic needs of care.
Animal Control is assessing the animals seized Thursday and will work with rescue groups to find homes for the animals. The owner signed some of these animals over to Animal Control, and the organization may seek foster homes to house and care for animals that were taken into custody but were not surrendered.
