Traumatized Dogs Treated, Ready to Adopt : Animals: Canines were mistreated by woman convicted of stealing them to sell for medical research. They will be given to people willing to continue rehabilitation process.

First came the cage. Then came the couch.

And now 12 dogs rescued a year ago from a filthy kennel run by a woman convicted of stealing animals to sell them for medical research have been pronounced psychologically fit for release in Los Angeles.

Officials of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the dozen dogs, along with 68 others in Bakersfield, have been cleared for adoption to people willing to continue with the creatures’ rehabilitation and re-socialization.

The dogs were seized 13 months ago during a raid on a Bakersfield kennel operated by Barbara Ann Ruggiero, 28, who was convicted in August of felony theft for tricking pet owners into giving away cats and dogs for animal research.

She was sentenced to six years in prison in what is believed to have been the first trial of its kind in the nation.

Authorities charged that Ruggiero, who previously owned the Comfy Kennel and Budget Boarding in Sun Valley, sold dogs for up to $500 to medical researchers. Investigators said pet owners were duped into turning over their animals by an associate who told them he was looking for a dog to live on his 10-acre horse ranch in Agua Dulce.

SPCA officers who raided Ruggiero’s Bakersfield kennel found dirty cages crammed with sick and starving dogs. Since then, the animals have been nursed back to health in Kern County animal shelter facilities and at SPCA kennels in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, said Tori Matthews, the SPCA’s assistant shelter manager in Hawthorne.

Psychological testing by animal behaviorists was part of their care--which so far has cost the nonprofit SPCA more than $60,000.

The psychological evaluation included placement of the dogs in an enclosure decorated with artificial grass and inhabited by an artificial dog, Matthews said. Animal behaviorists watched to see whether the dog attacked the fake dog, ignored it or cowered from it. Results of the testing have been used to help rehabilitate the animals.

“They’ve all been found to be friendly. They’re non-biters. We will provide dog profiles and the behaviorist’s findings to people who adopt them,” Matthews said Saturday as shelter workers took turns exercising the confiscated dogs while potential owners watched.

Los Angeles animal psychologist Richard H. Polsky used dummy canines “that look and smell like real dogs” in evaluating dogs here, Matthews said.

In Bakersfield, a dog trainer specializing in temperment testing has evaluated the dogs, said Bonnie Peterson, SPCA kennel manager. “He found that these dogs are not vicious in any way,” Peterson said.

Still, most of the animals will need special attention from their new owners to compensate for their year in confinement and the mistreatment at Ruggiero’s kennel, officials said.

Peterson said anyone interested in adopting a dog from the Bakersfield kennel will be asked to visit the shelter over the next few weeks and leave an article of clothing so the dog can become acquainted with them. The temperament training expert will be available after the adoption takes place to help the dog adjust to its new home.

Matthews said those adopting dogs in Los Angeles will be given Polsky’s phone number, along with guidelines for making their new dogs feel comfortable. There will be a $65 adoption fee to cover the cost of shots, spaying and neutering and teeth-cleaning, she said.

Some of the traumatized dogs have made faster progress than others.

A 2-year-old mixed shepherd, named “Lassie” by kennel workers, frolicked with shelter volunteer Nancy Burke, 25, of Culver City and playfully licked onlookers’ hands Saturday afternoon.

“When we got her, Lassie used to run and hide every time she saw people. Look at her now,” Matthews said.

“I just can’t imagine seeing a wonderful animal like that with electrodes stuck in her ears.”

Times staff writer Richard Colvin contributed to this report.