Pavlo Santiago, a 62-year-old man from Campbell, is set to change his earlier plea of "not guilty" in a case involving charges of animal cruelty. The charges were filed after law enforcement officials discovered and rescued a total of 91 animals from his residence.

According to records from Campbell Municipal Court, a plea hearing is scheduled for August 1st.

In early March, the police received a report about animals being locked in a garage without food at a residence on the 300 block of Whipple Avenue. Responding officers found numerous dogs, pigeons, chickens, and rabbits living in unsanitary conditions, with no access to fresh food or water.

The officers encountered difficulties in accessing the animals. The garage door lacked a handle, and the entry door into the garage was padlocked. Upon gaining entry, they discovered deplorable conditions, with junk scattered about, including a washer and dryer, a large animal cage, kitchen table chairs, a severely damaged couch, bikes, lawn equipment, and other unidentified items.

Inside the garage, cobwebs were hanging from the rafters, and an overwhelming smell of ammonia made it challenging to breathe. The police described the conditions as "atrocious." Most of the items in the garage were covered in years' worth of dust.

A few days later, the police returned to Santiago's residence and informed him that rescue units would be deployed to remove the animals. Santiago cooperated with the authorities and assisted in the removal process.

One of the rescued animals was a pit mix dog weighing between 40 and 45 pounds. The officers described the dog as emaciated, dirty, with bloodshot eyes, a hoarse cough, overgrown nails, dermatitis in some areas, and being in a moderately poor body condition. The dog was entrusted to a local kennel for care.

In addition to the garage, the police discovered a chicken coop in a shed-like structure connected to it. The coop was covered in thick dust, and the entire chicken coop door was coated with it. Inside, they found 20 chickens and roosters. The birds exhibited signs of distress, running towards the officers and making unusual noises, unlike their usual response of ignoring human presence. The area lacked fresh food, water, straw or heat lamps, clean feeders, and a water supply. The chickens were confined in a cramped space that was harmful to their well-being. An outdoor area meant for their access was blocked by a metal gate.

A veterinary technician from Happy Trails Sanctuary examined the chickens and found that at least 14 of them were underweight. The remaining birds appeared to have adequate weight. The technician observed lice infestations in each bird, with severe cases resulting in self-mutilation and missing feathers. Scaly leg mites were also prevalent, causing missing or scabby scales. The chickens experienced difficulty breathing within the first 24 hours of their rescue due to the poor air quality they endured.

Moving on, the police discovered an enclosure in the backyard housing an overwhelming number of pigeons. The enclosure was covered in bird feces, with most of the floor caked with it. Food, covered in feces, was scattered on the floor, while no water source was found. At least 60 adult pigeons, four baby pigeons, and four eggs were rescued from this area. Santiago informed the police that he had purchased six pigeons on that very day. Many of the birds exhibited poor body conditions, with noticeable bony prominences, particularly in areas like the keel and pelvic bones.

Lastly, the officers found two rabbits in a coop near the garage without access to food or water. The rabbits had minimal protection in the form of a three-sided box, lacking straw for warmth. Four additional rabbits were discovered in two cages on the back patio. Neither of these cages was suitable for rabbits, with one being a dog kennel and the other intended for smaller pets like guinea pigs. One of the rabbits appeared to be pregnant, and all the rabbits had overgrown nails.

Overall, a total of 91 animals, including one dog, six rabbits, 20 chickens, and 64 pigeons, were rescued from the scene.

Santiago now faces misdemeanor charges, including violating prohibitions concerning companion animals, animal cruelty, and a zoning violation.