The California woman who was allegedlycaptured on surveillance camera disposing of a bag full of puppieshad 38 dogs in her Coachella home, authorities say.
On late Monday afternoon, Riverside County Animal Services arrested Deborah Sue Culwell, 55, at her home in Coachella, RCAS Senior Public Information Specialist John Welsh confirms to PEOPLE.
While they were in her home, authorities allegedly found the other dogs.
“We were uncertain who would care for the dogs after she was arrested,” RCAS told PEOPLE in an email, “so we were forced to impound all 38.”
Welsh said the dogs will be moved to placed for adoption if Culwell relinquishes ownership of the impounded dogs. “She needs to sign over the dogs to county, he says via email. “She has 10 days to do so; then we can legally be allowed to have a disposition (adopt, transfer to rescue) for each dog.”
The dogs were in what appeared to be fair condition, although some had some skin issues and exhibited aggressive or fearful temperaments, Animal Services says. They are currently being cared for at a shelter in Thousand Palms.
“This woman’s alleged actions showed total disregard to those seven newborns,” Animal Services Commander Chris Mayer said in a statement. “The 38 dogs found at her home were not in conditions consistent with responsible pet ownership.”
Culwell is currently being held at a jail in Coachella Valley, Welsh says. At this time, it is unclear why Culwell allegedly tossed the bag of puppies into the dumpster and what specific charges she faces.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Culwell has retained a lawyer.
Welsh tells PEOPLE that he believes that Culwell will receive multiple charges for animal cruelty, which he says could result in 2-6 years in prison with a possibility of $20,000 in fines.
“We do feel strongly that this rises to a felony of animal cruelty and when we submit our case to the District Attorney’s office, we do believe we’ll be successful in pursuing seven counts of animal cruelty,” he explains.
Riverside County Animal Services
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The puppies were about three days old and are believed to be terrier mixes, according to the Facebook post.
“If not for the Good Samaritan’s actions, the puppies may not have survived much longer,” the post stated. “The mid-day temperatures in Coachella on Thursday were in the mid-90s range.”
“There is no excuse for dumping puppies,” the post continued. “Especially in today’s age when we or other shelters would be willing to get these animals to foster parents or rescue partners. This was a shameful act.”
In the email, the RCAS says that the seven puppies are not yet back with their mother.
“We have all of Ms. Culwell’s dogs in protective custody,” the RCAS states. “She is still the rightful owner of all the dogs. We cannot remove a dog from protective custody to nurse. Plus, we do not know what dog is the mother. Several of the 38 dogs impounded appeared to have possibly had recent litters.”
source: people.com
