Officers Seize More Than 100 Small Animals In Man’s Apartment

Riverside County animal control officers today collected 50 birds, 50 rodents, a gecko, and other animals – 132 in all – found in a 400-square-foot Hemet apartment following the death of the resident.

It was not clear when the man, who lived in the 500 block of Santa Fe Street, died, leaving behind parakeets, doves, one finch, hamsters, mice and the reptile, but officers say he may have suffered a stroke, and died at a nearby hospital.

The man was apparently breeding animals for sale, according to Animal Services officials.

“It resembled one giant bird cage,” said Sgt. Lesley Huennekens, with Animal Services.

The animals were turned over to Ramona Humane Society in San Jacinto.