Bay Area animal control officials recount long history with woman following her December arrest, seizure of 28 dogs

"Authorities seized 28 dogs from the home of a Windsor woman in early December and led her away in handcuffs, highlighting a case of alleged animal cruelty by a self-described rescuer, as well as broader issues officials say are straining shelters in the aftermath of the pandemic. The dogs taken from the Hastings Place home of Christina Urrutia Urena were just the latest animals formerly in her care to wind up in Sonoma County shelters, according to officials. RELATED: 40 dogs rescued from squalid California apartment. 'One of the worst hoarding situations.' The Dec. 9 action, including Urrutia's arrest, was more drastic because of the conditions discovered in the garage and the number of affected dogs, authorities said."

"Piles of feces covered the floor of the garage, where some of the dogs were found in kennels, police said. The build-up of urine and excrement was so heavy on a mattress-like cushion that it was stained black. The dogs were immediately removed and Urrutia was taken to jail, where she was booked on suspicion of animal cruelty, possession of unlicensed dogs, operating a commercial kennel without a license and violation of probation."

""I love them. I never in a million years would do anything to harm them, and that includes being delusional about my ability to care for them," she told The Press Democrat. She said in 2024 she started her rescue operation, G&C's Advocacy and Rescue Corp., in hopes of saving dogs, picking them up fr"

Authorities seized 28 dogs from a Windsor residence in early December and arrested the occupant on multiple charges related to animal care and licensing. Officers found heavy feces and urine buildup in a garage where several dogs were kept in kennels, and a mattress-like cushion was stained black. Two dogs required immediate medical attention. North Bay Animal Services removed the animals and has housed them at its Petaluma shelter. The resident described herself as a rescuer who started G&C's Advocacy and Rescue Corp. in 2024 and contested the inspection and seizure. Officials noted pandemic-related strains on local shelters.

Read at The Mercury News