Dogsey

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- North Las Vegas firefighters were able to rescue about 52 animals when a house caught fire Sunday evening. On Monday, officials said at least four dozen dogs had died in a home owned by a city councilman.

North Las Vegas Councilman Isaac Barron confirmed he owned the home, but a city spokesman says it was being rented by tenants who Barron says he was trying to evict.

Police Sgt. Chrissie Coon says there's no evidence that Barron is criminally liable.

The fire broke out at the home in the 2600 block of Stanley Ave. near Civic Center and Owens around 8 p.m. Sunday. The house was fully involved when firefighters arrived. One of the two men who lived in the home was transported to the hospital and listed in stable condition Monday morning.

For witnesses to the fire, it was a heartbreaking scene as firefighters were seen carrying out plastic bags holding some of the dogs killed in the blaze.

"I've been a firefighter for 20 years and I have never seen an incident of this magnitude," said North Las Vegas Fire Captain Cedric Williams.

It's estimated there were nearly 100 small dogs living in the older home. Many of them were chihuahuas.

Animal Control workers from both North Las Vegas and Las Vegas helped transport the animals to pet hospitals. As of Monday, some of the animals are still being treated while others are being moved to shelters.

Mitch Fox, the director of communications for the city of North Las Vegas, says the councilman knew his tenants had dogs in the small home, but he didn't know how many.