Overview
- San Diego County Animal Services removed more than 820 birds and two dogs from a rural Valley Center property after officers spent about 12 hours capturing and transporting the animals to the county’s Bonita and Carlsbad shelters for treatment.
- County veterinarians said they found birds living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and began immediate medical treatment for a mix of species that included ducks, geese, roosters, peacocks, pigeons and parrots.
- San Diego officers acted after a tip from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, which had earlier intervened at a property linked to the same operator and removed nearly 500 ducks this year.
- The operator, identified in local reporting as Howard Berkowitz, was arrested on a reported Ramy warrant but no criminal charges have been filed in either county as investigations and enforcement decisions continue.
- The San Diego Humane Society is expected to help with ongoing care and the county’s Animal Services Spirit Medical Fund is accepting donations to cover mounting veterinary and shelter costs as officials assess next steps.