Los Angeles County authorities cited “The Exorcist” actress Linda Blair for housing more than 250 dogs at her Acton facility without a proper license, the Department of Animal Care and Control said Tuesday.
LA County officials inspected her property last Friday after receiving multiple complaints about dogs being kept in unsanitary conditions at the 2.5-acre property used by the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation, the animal department said.
The county said the Acton facility was previously licensed through 2023, but it was only allowed to keep a maximum of 100 dogs.
None of the 251 animals found at the Acton property were seized or removed. Instead, Blair, a well-known animal advocate, was ordered to seek veterinary treatment for three dogs and correct deficits in housing facilities and sanitation, authorities said.
The actress took to social media, explaining coronavirus pandemic placed added pressure on private animal rescues such as hers.
“We now have more light shed on animal welfare and animal rescue and the plight of the animals than ever, ever
before,” she said in a video posted on Facebook. “I have criss-crossed the country, the world, begging, handing out my animal welfare paperwork, (asking) ‘How can you help?’ `What can you do?”’
The 67-year-old has lobbied for years on behalf of so-called “bully breed” dogs, such as pit bulls. She called for donations to help her rescue organization conduct more spay and neuter surgeries to reduce the unwanted pet population, and to find loving homes for the dogs in her care.
“This is the animal rescue community saying `We want a better life,”’ Blair added. “Stop abandoning animals, stop the high-kill. All of this can be changed, and even the authorities can get involved and help. This does not have to be a fight. It has to be everybody’s support in making a better world.”
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