Officials raided a hoarder house in Southern California where over 40 dogs were discovered inside.

Riverside County Animal Services responded to a home in the 88000 block of Avenue 61 in Thermal on July 11.

Crews discovered over 40 dogs at the home, with around 20 dogs that were found dead. The homeowner had reportedly left the property and the canines completely unattended.

Some dogs were roaming around freely while others were found in crates or confined to rooms 

The property was overrun with trash and debris and the home’s interior was filled with immense clutter and a strong urine odor, crews said. Temperatures at the property had reached triple digits.

The 20 dogs who were still alive were transported to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms for treatment. Most of the dogs were found in very poor condition and many were emaciated and weak, veterinary staff said.

Animal service workers said the discovery was “one of the worst they’ve seen in years.”

“Awful, just awful,” said Deputy Director Jackie Schart, who oversees shelter operations. “These dogs are so weak, so emaciated, so starved. There were dogs in crates with dead dogs. Just terrible.”

Volunteers and rescue partners were asked to help foster and care for the dogs as the shelter was overcrowded — they had over 200 dogs on site but only 84 kennel runs.

County officials later confirmed the homeowner had been hospitalized in critical condition and may not survive. 

“A situation like this usually rises to the level of animal cruelty for serious neglect,” officials said. “However, it’s unlikely Animal Services will pursue cruelty charges because the dog owner has been hospitalized.”

The incident remains under investigation.

Animals that are available to adopt from Riverside County animal shelters can be found here.

Reward money continues to pour in as animal rescuers increase their efforts to locate and arrest the person or people responsible for leaving a dog in a remote area of Malibu with its snout zip-tied shut.

The dog was found by a pair of rock climbers about 250 feet down the side of the road in Malibu Creek Canyon earlier this month.

The adult German shepherd, given the name Argon by his medical care providers, was discovered over the scorching Fourth of July weekend with a zip tie around its neck and another around its mouth.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call and deputies met the climbers near the 500 block of North Malibu Canyon Road to help bring the dog to safety.

He was rescued and taken to a local animal shelter for treatment of myriad illnesses, including inflammation, warts and skin tags on his legs, stomach and groin. Officials suspected that he may have been exposed to poison oak during his time lost in the wild.

In addition to those more obvious surface level illnesses, it was also suspected that Argon was suffering from lymphoma — cancer of the lymphatic system.

Last week, the dog was taken in by German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. On Wednesday, In Defense of Animals said the rescue organization had confirmed that diagnosis.

They also found double ear infections, swelling in his lower extremities and “trauma to his hind legs.”

“His ears are now healing, but his feet are still swollen two weeks after his ordeal,” a spokesperson for In Defense of Animals wrote.

Maria Dales, the founder and director of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, said Argon remains a “gentle soul” despite the abandonment and abuse he’s suffered.

“He seems to sense that we are all here to help him and his trust level is growing,” Dales said. “He doesn’t appear to be as introverted as he was when he arrived.”

The next steps in Argon’s care will be for him to see a veterinary oncologist to determine the severity of his cancer diagnosis and come up with a plan for treatment, Dales added.

In Defense of Animals was the first organization to announce a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who abandoned the dog in the sweltering heat with its mouth closed shut.

That reward tripled within days and has since increased to $25,000 thanks to multiple organizations and individuals chipping in cash in hopes of finding those responsible.

Fleur Dawes, communications director for In Defense of Animals, said they’ve been “overwhelmed” by the public support and said they hope the reward is enough motivation for someone to come forward.

“Someone knows this dog and the person who hurt him,” Dawes said in a news release. “We hope this huge reward offer encourages that person to step forward and share their tip with us so we can get justice for Argon.”

Argon’s case remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LASD Malibu/Lost Hills station at 818-878-1808.

In Defense of Animals is also soliciting donations and collecting tips related to Argon’s case, which can be provided anonymously or directly by calling 415-879-6879.

“We are hoping that someone in the public will have the courage and compassion to get this cruel abuser off the streets,” Dales concluded.

A second suspect has been arrested in Texas in connection with the ambush killing of a Houston-area deputy last week, according to officials.

Dremone Francis, 26, was charged with capital murder in the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda and has been booked in the Harris County Jail, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wrote on social media.

Francis’ arrest comes after Ronald “Ronnie” Palmer Jr., 44, was arrested and charged Thursday with capital murder.

TEXAS MAN CAPTURED AFTER DEPUTY’S AMBUSH SHOOTING DEATH FOLLOWING LITTLE CAESARS ATTACK: SHERIFF

Esqueda, 28, was shot and killed Wednesday night in the line of duty while pursuing a man accused of pistol whipping an employee at the Little Caesars restaurant on Wallisville Road in Houston.

“Our hearts are heavy. He was an amazing young man taken far too soon. He loved being a cop, and he leaves behind a tremendous void,” Gonzalez said Thursday during a press conference.

TEXAS MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER DETECTIVE IS FATALLY AMBUSHED, SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS

Ronnie Palmer, 44, has also been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with Esqueda’s death. (Harris County Sheriff)

Palmer is accused of verbally assaulting and pistol whipping a Little Caesars employee after an order he was set to pick up was incorrect. He then fled the restaurant and law enforcement agencies began searching for him following a vehicle description from the employee. 

Esqueda, who was involved in the search, believed he found the car in question and contacted another detective to let them know. He was ambushed while on the phone, according to Harris County authorities.

Backup arrived at the location on Italian Cypress Trail at about 1 a.m. to find Esqueda shot multiple times and his vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

The body of slain Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Fernando Esqueda will be escorted to a funeral home Monday morning. (Harris County Sheriff)

Deputies used a patrol vehicle to rush Esqueda, who was in critical condition, to the hospital, where he died.

A formal procession will take place on Monday to escort Esqueda’s body to a funeral home.

Fox News’ Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.