Dogs found in Turpin ‘torture home’ to be raffled
Two dogs, found at the home of a couple accused of keeping their 13 children captive, are to be raffled for adoption.
While all but one of the brothers and sisters emerged from 160 Muir Woods in Perris, California, on Sunday malnourished and under-weight, the state of the canines appeared to contrast immensely.
::California 'torture parents' plead not guilty
Parents David and Louise Turpin's one-year-old Maltese mixes were recovered at the family home in "good condition", according to Perris city spokesmam Joe Vargo.
"The animals, one white and one black, appear healthy and friendly and are leash-trained," said senior animal control officer Christina Avila.
Households interested in adopting the canines can submit their applications from today until 26 January, according to City of Perris officials.
Applicants will be contacted and their homes inspected with those shortlisted placed into the raffle from which one will be picked at random.
The dogs will be spayed and vaccinated before being placed in their new home on 5 February.
::A happy family? Photos of chained siblings.
The Turpins are accused of torturing and abusing their children for most of the past decade.
It is alleged all but the youngest, aged two, were starved and taunted with food.
The eldest, a 29-year-old woman, weighed just over five-and-a-half stone (82lbs).
::Captive siblings: Police reveal how girl escaped
Punishments included beatings and strangulation, and the children were chained to their beds for weeks and even months for washing their hands above their wrists, according to prosecutors.
They were denied toys and only allowed to write in their journals – hundreds of which are being reviewed for evidence.
::Siblings found chained to their beds at home
The couple appeared in court on Thursday charged with 12 counts of torture, 12 of false imprisonment, six of child abuse and six of abuse of a dependant adult.
David Turpin is also charged with performing a lewd act on a child, a girl, under the age of 14.
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They both deny the allegations against them and face up to 94 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
The case, described by Riverside County district attorney Mike Hestrin as one of "human depravity", was brought to light after their 17-year-old daughter escaped and contacted the police.
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