Lake Balboa Woman Accused of Keeping Dozens of Flea-Infested Dogs

Animal cruelty and neglect charges were filed today against a woman who kept more than three dozen animals at her Lake Balboa home.

Corey Deborah Carnegie, 50, is scheduled to be arraigned in a Van Nuys courtroom Nov. 19 on one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and three misdemeanor counts of animal neglect, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

Los Angeles Department of Animal Services officers responded July 8 to a tip by other law enforcement agencies that had received reports of multiple animals being kept at the woman’s two-bedroom, 1,680-square foot house, according to the City Attorney’s Office.

Officers found 32 dogs on the property, with many appearing to suffer from skin conditions, flea infestation, fecal material matted in their paws and fur and a strong smell of urine, according to the City Attorney’s Office.

The dogs -- along with five cats and two pot-bellied pigs -- were removed from the property and taken for veterinary care.

If convicted, Carnegie could face up to one year in jail and a $20,000 fine on the animal cruelty charge and six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for each animal neglect count.

“Animal hoarding often results in abominable conditions that threaten the health and safety of animals and humans alike, as well as creating a nuisance in the neighborhood,” said City Attorney Mike Feuer. “My office takes protecting the welfare of animals extremely seriously.”

The case was the second to be filed this week against a San Fernando Valley woman accused of animal neglect.

On Tuesday, Georgeanne Leong, 54, was charged with three misdemeanor counts of animal neglect for keeping 249 chickens, 21 ducks and four guinea pigs inside her 1,400-square-foot home in Sherman Oaks, according to Feuer’s office.

Investigators said they found several dead animals, along with bird excrement and feathers throughout Leong’s home. She could face up to 18 months in jail and $3,000 in fines if convicted.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.

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