It’s difficult to believe that the house at 1952 Hollister Street in Ceres is the same as the feces-ridden, urine saturated dwelling that forced a hazardous materials cleanup six months ago after authorities discovered 84 dogs in an extreme case of animal abuse.
But after a significant remodeling effort by new owners, the city considers the transformation a stellar example of how Ceres Code Enforcement officers make a difference in neighborhood aesthetics.
Three persons were arrested in March when the discovery of the neglected dogs in squalor condition was made following a request to check on an elderly woman living there. The senior and a minor were removed from the home and looked after while Ceres Police arrested Lissette St. Denis, 43, Seth Badal, 43, and Freddy Vasquez, 22, on charges of child abuse, elder abuse and animal cruelty.
“My first thought was: How can you let your house get to this condition?” said Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Varni when he first made the discovery.
Modesto firefighters in hazmat suits were called in to remove the dogs and help clean up the hazardous unit due to the ammonia content in the interior brought oxygen levels to only 16 percent.
Together with Stanislaus Animal Services Agency, the dogs were transported into the already overcrowded animal shelter in west Ceres for medical treatment.
The occupants of the house also hoarded materials that presented a safety factor. For example, boxes stacked to the ceiling and other materials prevented the kitchen from being used.
Varni made an inspection of the property on Sept. 6 and was surprised to see a completely different house. The new owner stripped down and replaced the wallboard, flooring and roof, replaced doors, windows and electrical fixtures and repaired plumbing deficiencies. Not only does the residence sport a new coat of paint but the front yard looks like a page from Home & Garden unlike the House of Horror of months ago.
There’s also no sign of the feces that made the interior a significant health hazard.
“We feel great about this one,” said Varni. “The condition of this residence then versus now is a complete 180. The house looks absolutely phenomenal compared to what it was.
“When you walked through this residence after everything was cleared out, there were holes within the walls. The Animal Control had to get the dogs out from underneath the house because they went through the walls and went under.”
He reported moisture from the ammonia fumes caused the ceiling fans to seize up and one room was anchored with cobwebs and spiders.
The backyard has a new fence and is rid of the chest-high weeds there in spring.
