ORCHARD BEACH, Md. -- Anne Arundel County police are investigating a house where multiple dogs were found in deplorable conditions.
Twenty-one dogs were found at the home in the 7900 block of Sea Breeze Drive in Orchard Beach. Officers originally were called to the neighboring house to check on the condition of animals there. They found the pets in good condition and the homeowners cooperative and concerned about animals at their relatives' home next door.
A man at that home denied the officers' request to enter but agreed to sign over the rights of the animals to Animal Control and turned over all the animals at the house, police said.
Firefighters and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health assisted officers. Nineteen dogs were removed from inside the home and two were removed from a trailer on the property. They are in Animal Control care.
The Health Department declared the property unfit for habitation due to the unsanitary conditions and gave until Sept. 11 to clean it up, police said.
Police are assisting the family.
No charges have been filed.
