Rescued dogs need new homes

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers HELPING OUT—Agoura Animal Shelter volunteers Jan Owen and Denise Rosen, flanking another volunteer, play with Jazzy, one of several dogs rescued from a woman who was arrested for dog hoarding. Those animals have been distributed to animal shelters throughout Los Angeles County. Dogs rescued from an alleged canine hoarder are available for adoption at several Los Angeles County Animal Control facilities, including the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter.

According to media reports, Cindy Bernis has been arrested numerous times on charges of animal neglect and abuse. Bernis was arrested again last year and faces felony animal abuse charges in Los Angeles County. Her hearing is set for October.

Denise Rosen, manager of the Agoura shelter, said the shelter has taken in eight dogs "so far" from the raid on Bernis' property and will house more dogs once cage space opens at the facility.

The dogs, Rosen said, are mostly mixed breeds, including shepherd mixes, pit-bull mixes, chows and Rottweilers.

A chow mix named Jazzy is still available for adoption, Rosen said.

One of the volunteers at the Agoura shelter, Robin Kahrs, described Jazzy as "a wonderful girl, good with humans of all ages and other dogs. It's amazing that she has stayed so sweet after being in a hoarding situation."

Four of the eight dogs transferred to the Agoura shelter have been adopted, but one of the dogs is not yet available because of "behavioral issues," Kahrs said.

Although hoarding dogs is not a crime, mistreatment of animals is illegal. Bernis allegedly had hundreds of dogs roaming on her property at several kennels over the years, including one near Mojave and others in Kern and San Bernardino counties.

Rosen said people who hoard dogs often believe they are rescuing them from harm or starvation.

Such is the case with Bernis, according to reports that say she sees herself as an animal rescuer, adopting dogs destined for euthanasia from animal shelters and providing them with proper care, including a clean environment, food and medical treatment when needed.

However, photos collected in raids of Bernis' "rescue shelters" have reportedly shown dead dogs that have been gnawed and some dogs wandering the grounds with chronic mange, a mite-borne skin disease that can be deadly if left untreated.

"Anyone considering giving a dog to a rescue should insist on seeing the facility," Rosen said.

As for the remaining dogs available for adoption, Kahrs said they are "desperate" to find them loving "forever homes." Other dogs from the raid are available at the Baldwin Park shelter, she said.

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