The Exorcist actor Linda Blair has responded publicly after county authorities carried out an inspection at her property and reportedly found more than 100 dogs there.
Officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning conducted the operation on Friday (July 31), according to TMZ.
“The goal is to inspect this property for buildings and structures associated with a kennel operation reported to have more than 100 dogs,” a statement provided to PEOPLE stated.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of both the animals on the property and the people who may be working or residing here. This inspection will help us determine whether conditions meet required standards.”
According to reports, authorities found approximately 200 canines on the property, which exceeded the approximately 60 dogs Blair was permitted to house. The kennel facility’s permits had expired in 2023, and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control stated that county agencies had made multiple attempts to contact the property owner without receiving a response.
TMZ said Blair was at the home during the inspection and described her as being “extremely cooperative”. The outlet also reported that no dogs were taken from the property. The inspection involved approximately 70 members of law enforcement and other agencies and occurred during 105-degree heat.
Following the reports, Blair shared her side of events on Instagram, telling followers that both she and the animals were okay despite what she called a surprise visit in extreme heat.
“Turns out we just have some paperwork to do and some diagrams but as everybody knows, I’m looking to move so I can be more educational and help more animals. I’d rather move forward.
“And I always say you know a good old-fashioned letter of contact always works. Be safe safe lives support animal rescue cause we’re all fighting to save.”
She also posted a video message addressing the inspection directly.
“Today we got a really big surprise visit, and, as it turns out, there is nothing but some paperwork and some new diagrams and things,” the 67-year-old said in the clip posted to social media.
“I’ve been trying to move for the last two years really, and it’s imperative to my health, and trying to help more animals, but it’s kind of on the news right now, so I wanted to check in, let you know I am fine, the animals are fine, and we just have some paperwork that has to be dealt with — that’s all this was all about.
“I don’t know why mail isn’t used more often to notify somebody.”
Blair used the post to reassure supporters that the animals were safe, while also reiterating that she has been trying to relocate for some time as part of her wider rescue efforts.
She then encouraged people to support the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, the animal rescue charity she founded in 2003 to help neglected animals.
“We love volunteers and foster homes, and it’s a big crisis we’re dealing with in California, and across the country. So any and all support would mean the world,” she concluded.
According to authorities, the investigation into the kennel operation remains active and ongoing. The department stated it is unable to provide additional details at this time while the investigation is underway.
Blair is best known for her role as the possessed child Regan MacNeil in the 1973 film The Exorcist, for which she received a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Beyond her acting career, animal welfare has become her primary focus. In addition to founding the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, which rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes abused, neglected, and abandoned animals, Blair has been involved in animal welfare advocacy since the 1980s.