South Gate man gets prison for animal cruelty

SOUTH GATE - A South Gate man has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for keeping dozens of dogs trapped inside a warehouse with insufficient food and water, authorities announced this week.Acting on a tip, the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) served a search warrant on a South Gate warehouse in 2009, where animal control officers discovered 67 dogs housed in "inhumane and unsanitary" conditions. Urine and fecal matter covered the walls and floor, and no water was provided for a majority of the dogs. Some dogs were stacked in crates on top of one another, with urine and feces dropping onto the animal below, resulting in fur loss and irritated pink flesh, authorities said. Most of the dogs were emaciated and had exposed ribs. Officers relocated the dogs to the SEAACA animal shelter in Downey, where most were rehabilitated and adopted. Animal cruelty charges were filed against Marcos De Luna, 46, who claimed he lived at the warehouse and was operating a dog kennel. He was cited and released, but a felony arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear at a court date. De Luna was arrested Sept. 21 of this year by L.A. County sheriff's deputies. On Oct. 24, De Luna pled guilty to one felony count of cruelty to animals and was sentenced to 16 months in prison. SEAACA animal control officers have the authority to serve search warrants and arrest people guilty of violating a variety of animal-related laws.

********** Published: Dec. 12, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 35

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