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Former President Of Davis Rottweiler Rescue Found Dead

DAVIS (CBS13) – Authorities say that Elaine Greenberg, the recently-removed president of Second Chance Rottweiler Rescue, was found dead in her home outside of Davis Friday.

According to the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, Greenberg was supposed to have dinner with a friend Thursday night. Greenberg apparently never answered the door and numerous phone calls went unanswered.

The friend soon called the sheriff's office and deputies were dispatched to Greenberg's residence early Friday afternoon.

Deputies who responded at the 26000 block of County Road 96 home then spotted a woman down inside and called paramedics. The woman, who was identified Saturday by the Yolo County Coroner's Office as Greenberg, was soon pronounced dead at the scene.

Yolo County Animal Control had taken control of the Second Chance Rottweiler Rescue's dogs earlier in August after conditions at the shelter – which was the same home where Greenberg was found dead – were discovered to be dire. The dogs, according to a volunteer who traveled to Greenberg's home in late July, were reportedly malnourished and their runs dirty.

The volunteer also found that three dogs had died. Greenberg was soon removed as president by the rescue's board. The board then alerted Yolo County Animal Services about the situation.

"[The dogs were] very underweight, dehydrated, several of them were in critical condition needing 'round-the-clock veterinary care," said Renee Lancaster from Rotts of Friends rescue, which took in the dogs that were seized from Greenberg's home.

Eleven dogs were surrendered to Yolo County Animal Services. The dogs remain at Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue in Woodland, where Lancaster says they are on their way to recovery.

"As disappointed we are in Ms. Greenberg, I think you need to look at the whole focus and failure of the organization," Lancaster said. "There's a 74-year-old woman taking care of God-knows how many animals and that's a lot of work for anybody."

Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine Greenberg's cause of death.

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