Man arrested as dog dies, dozens more rescued in Northern California. ‘We are devastated’
A Northern California man who said he owned an animal rescue operation was arrested on suspicion of 34 counts of animal cruelty when at least one of the dozens of dogs under his care died, authorities said.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office seized the dogs after learning the 67-year-old Nevada City suspect was involved in a traffic incident that authorities said caused several dogs to be ejected from his vehicle. A dog possibly suffered a broken bone after the incident, deputies said.
The case first came to light when neighbors complained Oct. 1 of 60 “Husky-type” dogs running through the suspect’s property on the 24000 block of Banner Quaker Hill in rural Nevada County, according to a news release from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies learned the suspect owned a rescue operation called Mother Lode Husky Haven in which he had 47 dogs, and another 14 belonged to another rescue operation. The Nevada City resident was notified of several apparent violations, the release said.
The dogs lived in dirty pens and had no shaded areas, little water and insufficient food, said Ashley Quadros, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office.
But when animal control officers returned, one dog named Chance was seized due to “inadequate care and apparent illness,” the release said. He later died from his injuries.
On Sunday, deputies learned the suspect was involved in a traffic accident that left several dogs injured, the release said.
The suspect was driving 11 canines south on Latrobe Road, north of South Shingle Road in El Dorado County when he veered off the road and collided into a barbed-wire fence, according to the Ledger Dispatch newspaper.
Dogs leapt out of the damaged vehicle, but the suspect didn’t stop as a tire blew out, the Ledger Dispatch reported. The suspect then ran a stop sign and another dog was ejected from his car as he went down Highway 16, reports said.
Deputies served a search warrant at the suspect’s property and seized the rest of the dogs. Two dogs required emergency veterinary care, including one canine limping with a broken leg that “possibly” was injured in the accident, deputies said.
“We are devastated to have lost Chance but are grateful all the dogs are in safe places now,” Animal Control Supervisor Stefanie Geckler said in a statement. “The safe seizure of this many dogs wouldn’t have been possible without the help of several community groups and businesses. Many of the dogs are available for immediate adoption and could use loving homes.”
Dogs are available to be rescued by calling nonprofit Sammie’s Friends at 530-471-5041. The shelter is also accepting donations to help provide food and medical care to the rescued dogs. Donations billed for “Chance” will support the surviving dogs.
The suspect faces 33 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and a felony animal cruelty charge after his Oct. 6 arrest, deputies said. By Tuesday, the man was no longer in jail and hadn’t yet been charged by the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office, according to online court records.
