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Pets Seized in Alleged Hoarding Incident
   posted 12:23 pm Fri May 09, 2008 - MANASSAS, Va.
NewsChannel 8 - Pets Seized in Alleged Hoarding Incident
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Dozens of dogs and cats were seized after being found living outside a woman's home in Manassas.

Prince William County (web|news) 's animal control seized 95 dogs and 16 cats out of Sandra Cortes' home. She said her life's work, rescuing animals destined to be euthanized, was swept away. She said P.W. Co. animal control had inspected her property before, but then suddenly they took action. 

"Everything that we had been previously told was acceptable, was no longer acceptable and here we are," said Cortes.  

Authorities are investigating whether Cortes had too many animals on the nearly four acre property known as "Assisi's Animal Rescue Foundation".

"The number of dogs that a person is allowed to have, of course without a kennel license, is four in Prince William County," said Sam Newsome, the Director for P.W. County Animal Control Bureau.

Off camera neighbors and parents of school children across the street complained about the smell and the noise.

"It was obviously overcrowded. There were attempts to seclude and hide animals from us, that's when we got into the cruelty aspect," said Newsome. 

Cortes showed paperwork that proved the animals received vet care. She did charge $300 for puppies and $200 adult dogs, holding fairs at her home, something the county says was a problem. 

"The $300 and the $250 sometimes covers everything and sometimes it doesn't," said Cortes, "but we do the best we can."

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the case as an investigation is still going on. In the meantime, the county Animal Control Unit Bureau said that the animals are being rehabilitated and many will be up for adoption soon. 

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