PHOENIX - An investigation into reports of neglect lead the Phoenix Police Department to raid a pet resort in Phoenix Thursday morning.
Police, along with the Arizona Humane Society, have now seized more than 200 animals from Planet Petopia Doggie Dude Ranch on 13th Avenue and Hatcher Road.
A total of 164 animals were taken from the facility on Thursday.
The owners of the facility - 49-year-old Barbaraann Whitley and a 52-year-old Glen Whitley - were arrested and face charges of neglect, failure to provide medical care and hoarding.
Phoenix police and the Humane Society first seized 49 animals from the boarding facility that needed medical attention immediately on Jan. 22. Two of those animals had to be euthanized for their medical conditions and two others later died as they were receiving blood transfusions, Humane Society spokesperson Bretta Nelson said.
On Feb. 5, additional animals were seized. On Thursday, police issued a search warrant and seized all remaining animals-- which Sgt. Alan Pfohl estimated to be about 150.
Pfohl said the investigation into this facility happened when staff members of the Humane Society, located across the street, heard things that suggested the animals were in distress. When the Humane Society approached the owners of Petopia, they would not let the Humane Society inside where the animals were boarded and only asked for help with publicity.
Petopia, Pfohl said, seems to be a private business that was originally a boarding and grooming facility that morphed into a rescue shelter. Most of the dogs seized today were rescues and do not have owners, Pfohl said.
Phoenix police anticipate submitting at least 50 charges of animal neglect, failure to provide animal neglect and hoarding, Pfohl said. That number may increase and the investigation continues.
Nelson said this was one of the largest intakes she had ever seen in her seven years with the Humane Society.
The Phoenix Police Department is instructing pet owners to contact the Arizona Humane Society by calling its resource center (602-997-7585 ext. 3800). AHS will then email owners a form to fill out to get the process of recovering your pet started.