According to YPD spokeswoman Sgt. Leanne Worthen, the warrant, which was served at 8799 E. 26th Place, was for animal cruelty.
According to the warrant, the dogs were not being fed sufficiently, had untreated wounds, there was noise from dogs fighting and the backyard contained a large amount of dog feces.
Based on the condition of the animals and their environment, Elodia Villegas was arrested on eight counts of animal cruelty, four counts of failure to license animals, four counts of failure to vaccinate animals, one count of animals disturbing the peace, one count of failure to remove waste and one count of unsanitary conditions.
Villegas was booked into Yuma County jail and later released without bail pending trial.
Four adult German shepherds and five German shepherd puppies were removed from the residence and taken to the Humane Society of Yuma, where they are recovering with hopes of future adoption.
“The Humane Society of Yuma is happy that we were able to help these dogs before their situation became worse. The HSOY does not condone the actions of this owner and hopes that this case will remind owners that we are here in the event they are unable to care for their pets,” said Executive Director Annette Lagunas. “Owning animals comes with many responsibilities.”
Lagunas encourages anyone considering adopting a pet to take into account all the responsibilities that go with it.
“Pets rely on us to help them survive,” Lagunas said. “It is a 10- to 14-year commitment. People must remember that when adopting.”
Worthan said YPD takes cases such as this seriously and encourages the community to report instances of animal cruelty.
Please call YPD at 928-373-4700 with any questions or concerns.
(Yuma Sun - Apr 16, 2015)
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