Animals Found Inside California Home

Lions, Tigers, Lynxes Among 22 Exotic Animals Found In House
Animals Found In Rural Neighborhood

MOORPARK, Calif. -- Lions and tigers were among the 22 exotic animals discovered inside a house in a rural Tierra Rejada Valley neighborhood.

The owners do not have permits and Ventura County officials are trying to determine how to remove the animals, said Jarrod DeGonia, an aide to Supervisor Judy Mikels, whose office has gotten a flurry of calls from alarmed residents since Friday's discovery.
"There's a lot of upset people over this," he said.

County officials, including the Animal Regulation Department, have no authority to remove the animals, zoning enforcement officer Gloria Goldman said. But Goldman issued a violation notice with owners Chuck and Melinda Carmichael because they do not have a permit for the animals.
After 30 days, the county can put a lien on the property and file charges if the animals are not removed, Goldman said. The animals were inside the house and there was no fencing or enclosure on the property.