Deputies seized 22 guns, including an assault rifle, and rescued a dozen emaciated small-breed dogs from “deplorable” conditions while serving a search warrant at a home near Neenach earlier this week.

Two men were arrested during the bust, which took place Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement.

The investigation began after a 43-year-old man who lives at the home “made serious criminal threats against employees at a utilities company,” according to the statement.

“When detectives arrived at the suspect’s residence, they found a dozen small-breed dogs housed in ‘deplorable’

conditions without adequate care,” the statement said. “Deputies found a box of Cheerios cereal that they readily poured on the floor to feed the famished pups. Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control was contacted, and officers responded in hazmat suits to take possession of the dogs.”

The deputies also found 22 guns at the home, including an unregistered assault rifle, along with ammunition, authorities said. The guns were believed to belong to the man’s 63-year-old uncle, who also lives at the home.

The younger man was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and possession of ammunition by a felon, officials said. His uncle was arrested on suspicion of weapons violations.

Their identities were not available.

The Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control are conducting an animal cruelty investigation, sheriff’s officials said.