Besides their noisy nature, costly medical problems seem to be why the critters are being surrendered in such large numbers.
Pat Claerbout heads Sacramento County’s Animal Shelter.
“We’ve actually seen more Chihuahuas coming into the shelter for the last year-and-a-half. About 25% of our dogs right now are Chihuahuas.”
Clarebout says other shelters are also juggling Chihuahuas in the state. She says it all started with the Taco Bell Chihuahua.
“Then you’ve seen several movies, Paris Hilton. What seems to become the pet of Hollywood people think ‘oh, that’s a neat looking dog I want to have one of those.’ Not thinking about the responsibility that comes with taking on any pet.”
Experts say the big spike in California’s Chihuahua population is probably due to puppy mills and backyard breeders.