Police confiscate 30 dogs from north Minneapolis home

City officials confiscated 30 dogs Tuesday from the home of a north Minneapolis woman, after executing a search warrant on suspicion of animal cruelty.

Police suspect the woman bred and sold the dogs out of her home. The confiscated dogs were all Shih Tzu, and many had skin conditions, missing teeth, eye problems, and feces matted into their fur, animal control officials said.

The home's owner returned while officials were confiscating the dogs and attempted to interfere. Police officers detained her in the squad car until animal control officials had finished removing the animals. She received a citation for obstructing the legal process.

Officials became aware of the situation when neighbors called to express concern that the 868-square-foot house smelled like urine and feces and might be filled with animals.

Dan Niziolek, manager of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, said it appears that the dogs were kept inside the small home at all times.

"You can understand the odors and smells that were in there, stained floors, feces, and things like that," he said.

Niziolek expressed gratitude to the neighbors for contacting city officials.

"We feel fortunate to have intervened at this point in time because it's likely this could've deteriorated much worse," he said.

Niziolek said he expects that animal cruelty charges against the woman will be filed early next week.

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