Kern County Animal Services has seized 144 dogs from what amounted to an illegal kennel in Tehachapi and arrested the man who lived there. Director Nick Cullen says they developed probable cause to arrest 69-year-old Allen Lee Tuesday on suspicion of animal cruelty after finding filthy conditions at the residence on Golden Star Blvd., and a judge set his bail at $1.2-million. The situation was uncovered when neighbors complained about the smell and dogs running loose, Cullen says the condition of the animals varied wildly, from healthy to borderline emaciated, and it will take several weeks to assess and treat the dogs before any can be adopted.

Suzanne Grant