Linda Blair says her dog rescue remains under control after authorities found 251 animals at her Southern California property. The Exorcist star maintains that paperwork and permit issues, not the dogs’ welfare, triggered the investigation. Officials found no signs that the animals were sick or injured. However, the county’s review remains active as neighbors question the number of dogs housed at the facility.
Linda Blair says paperwork issues—not animal welfare concerns led to the investigation
Authorities served an investigative warrant at Blair’s 2.5-acre property after the kennel’s permits reportedly expired in 2023, TMZ reported. The Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning said officials had made 24 attempts to arrange inspections over three years.
Officials counted 251 dogs while checking structures and possible code violations. Law enforcement told the outlet that “no dogs showed signs of illness or injury,” and authorities did not remove any animals.
Blair addressed the search in a Facebook video. “I am fine, the animals are fine,” she said, describing the dispute as a matter involving paperwork and updated property diagrams. She also said she had been trying to relocate so she could expand her rescue work.
The new information follows an earlier search of Blair’s property, which initially focused on a kennel believed to house more than 100 dogs. The latest count more than doubled that estimate.
Some neighbors told TMZ they regularly heard crying and howling from the property and believed the rescue had become overcrowded. Their concerns remain unverified, and the inspection did not uncover signs of illness or injury among the animals.
Ken Thomas, a former shelter employee and friend of Blair, rejected allegations that she intentionally neglected the dogs. However, he suggested the no-kill operation may have become difficult to manage. Thomas said the facility housed about 150 dogs when he worked there.
He also claimed Blair had tried to reduce the population before dozens of dogs arrived after the 2025 Palisades Fire. According to Thomas, the animals had shelter, food and water during his time at the rescue.
Blair founded the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation to rehabilitate abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs. The organization says it relies entirely on donations for food, veterinary treatment, and daily care. Its no-kill mission aims to save dogs that might otherwise face euthanasia in a kill shelter.
Blair is among several actors who have made animal rescue a major part of their public work. Katherine Heigl recently defended attending a dog rescue fundraiser, while Jennifer Aniston and Jim Curtis have reportedly considered opening an animal rescue center.
The county has not announced criminal charges or seized any dogs. For now, Blair insists the rescue is safe while officials continue reviewing its permits, structures, and overall compliance.
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Originally reported by Misbah Pandith on Mandatory
