35 Animals And 3 Children Found In Filthy Condition and Rescued By Authorities

3 days ago 9

Commerce City Police Rescue 3 Children and 35 Animals from Deplorable Home

A shocking discovery in Commerce City, Colorado, has left the community shaken after police found three young children and 35 animals living in appalling conditions inside a family home. Both parents are now facing multiple felony charges following the grim rescue.

The investigation began after 38-year-old Demetrio Urbina allegedly attempted an unlicensed veterinary procedure on a dog that later died. That incident prompted police to obtain a search warrant for the residence on East 113th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers were forced to wear hazmat suits due to the overwhelming conditions inside.

What they found was deeply disturbing: 31 dogs and puppies, two cats, and two guinea pigs living in filthy, unsafe enclosures. Outside the home, investigators also discovered the body of a dead dog discarded in a trash can, with one paw visibly sticking out. “The conditions inside were some of the worst we’ve seen in Commerce City,” said public information officer Joanna Small. “To find a paw sticking out of a trash can moved investigators to tears.”

Equally troubling was the discovery of three children, ages three to ten, who had been forced to live in the same squalid conditions. Authorities confirmed many of the dogs were pregnant or nursing newborn puppies, further compounding the neglect. Trash was piled across the driveway, multiple abandoned vehicles littered the property, and the interior of the home was described as squalid.

Neighbors told reporters they had long been concerned about the property, citing strong odors, piles of garbage, and visible signs of neglect. One neighbor called it “a junkyard,” expressing heartbreak for both the children and the animals trapped inside.

Demetrio Urbina and his wife, 32-year-old Araceli Urbina, now face charges including felony animal cruelty, child abuse, practicing a profession without a license, and operating an unlicensed pet facility.

The Commerce City Police Department is working with Adams County Animal Control, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Department of Agriculture, Child Protective Services, and several animal shelters to provide medical treatment, housing, and rehabilitation for the rescued pets. The children have been removed from the home for their safety.

This tragic case underscores how neglect can quickly escalate into cruelty—and highlights the importance of community vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable, both human and animal alike.

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