Pa. rescue Chihuahuas set for adoption

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 21 (UPI) -- Pennsylvania agricultural officials say they have farmed out nearly 200 Chihuahuas taken from the home of an accused animal hoarder.

The little dogs have been sent to animal shelters across the state where they will be put up for adoption into good, and presumably less crowded homes.

"This is one of the worst cases of animal hoarding we've seen in Pennsylvania, but through the efficient work of dog wardens, state and county animal response teams and local animal shelters, the dogs are one step closer to finding healthy forever homes," department Executive Deputy Secretary Mike Pechart said in a written statement.

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees dog laws in Pennsylvania, raided the Benton home of Albert and Thomas Ambrosia this week and collected 187 Chihuahuas. The dogs were housed temporarily at the site of the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg and sacked out on towels provided by the state corrections department.

Despite the cramped quarters, the small dog pack was in overall good health, Melissa Smith, spokeswoman for the York County SPCA told the York (Pa.) Daily Record. Smith said they all seemed to be normal weight and some needed their nails trimmed, "which isn't much of a big deal."