Los Angeles animal control officers found an 81-year-old Wilmington woman living with more than 100 rats and 35 other animals she kept as pets, officials said today.

Wanda Langstom was taken to a hospital because her arms were covered with open wounds probably caused by her animals, said Annette Ramirez, an officer with the Department of Animal Services.

Officers also seized the animals, which included about 120 rats, most in cages but some running loose, and 25 rabbits, a dog, six parakeets, a quail and a cockatiel.

"Langstom basically became overwhelmed at how quickly the rats reproduced. She said it just started with two but it got out of hand," Ramirez said. "Hoarding pets is something we see in Los Angeles frequently, so it's not actually that rare a case."

Members of the city's Animal Services Anti-Cruelty Task Force visited Langstom's home in the 1100 block of Laguna Avenue on Monday to investigate "deplorable conditions," as described in a tip from someone who had visited Langstom's home after seeing an ad for a rabbit in a local newspaper earlier that day.

"Once inside, the person saw all the cages and how the situation was bad for both the animals and the resident," Ramirez said.

Most of the animals were healthy, Ramirez said, but two rabbits needed medical attention. A veterinarian was treating all the seized animals, which are available for adoption in San Pedro at the Harbor Animal Care Center. The center's number is (213) 485-8755.

I agree it is sad. We have had a few cases here.

it is sad but sounds like she took very good care of them if only 2 of them needed medical attention.....I am sure it would of gotten incredibly worse....

As sad as that is, I remember a similar local case with cats. Unfortunately, most of the dozens of cats were so ill they have to be put down.