Health officials on Monday removed 39 animals from a Boyle Heights pet shop where the owners allegedly mishandled their stock and sold sick pets.

Officials from the county Health Department, the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Southern California Humane Society took the "menagerie of neglected animals" from the Elias Pet Shop, said SPCA spokeswoman Mary Wamsley. The animals were taken to an SPCA shelter, she said.

Authorities said they investigated conditions at the shop after receiving numerous complaints from customers. "Selling sick animals, unsanitary living conditions and treating animals in a cruel and inhumane manner are all punishable as misdemeanors," Wamsley said.