MIRA LOMA, Calif. -- Sitting, watching, and waiting is all Mira Loma resident, Gina Cruz can do these days. 

"It’s heartbreaking, heartwrenching," she said. "I can’t sleep, can’t eat."

All she can do now is wait.

Her home in the Inland Empire is one of many affected by the outbreak of Newcastle Disease — a virus that's infecting chickens throughout Southern California. 

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is in the process of trying to eradicate the disease, which has devastating effects on the poultry industry, by euthanizing both backyard birds and commercial chickens. 

Cruz is the owner of several birds that have been designated for euthanasia. 

"When I look at them, I smile, but i know what’s coming," Cruz said. "We're here just waiting for them to drive up at any time to kill our babies."

Although her birds were tested and found not to carry the virus directly, Newcastle is highly contagious and can infect all birds. Because of this, the CDFA said there is no choice but to euthanize all birds in the infected region. 

“There is no treatment for a disease like this," explained Annette Jones, the State Veterinarian. "It’s very hard for us and it’s devastating to bird owners, but the only way we can return our environment to free from this virus is to euthanize.” 

That doesn't make it any easier for bird owners, who are now rallying together to help prevent the euthanasia. They say the killings are inhumane. 

"I have zero to gain, absolutely nothing, my birds are dead," said Kerri Elaine, a neighbor whose chickens were euthanized in April. "But what they did to me and how they overlooked it, I'll stand up."

While the CDFA has no plans to stop the euthanizing of more chickens, the community in the Inland Empire says they will continue to search for answers to help save their birds.