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- California, USA -

 

On Friday, April 5, 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced animal cruelty charges against 31-years-old DAMIAN WESLEY (pictured), owner of the nonprofit organization Compton Animal Rescue.

 

In a press release, DA Gascón recounted that on January 3, 2024, LA County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) executed search warrants at two locations in the city of Compton. Both locations were tied to WESLEY and Compton Animal Rescue.

 

A month later, in February 2024, DACC explained in a press release that they “obtained the warrants, based on multiple complaints of neglect and mistreatment from members of the community about this organization. After investigating, warrants were issued due to the animal rescue organization’s noncompliance with State and County animal care laws.”

 

The search led to the discovery of approximately one hundred and forty-five (145) live animals, primarily dogs, but also including cats, chickens, hamsters, a hawk, a horse, lizards, pigs, rabbits, a rooster, snakes, tortoises, and turtles.

Sadly, officials also discovered twelve (12) animal carcasses.

 

According to DA Gascón, “The vast majority of animals were found to be severely underweight and suffering from various illnesses.” DA Gascón also said that WESLEY “is alleged to have seen the condition of 25 distressed animals and had time to act, but did not.”

 

DACC said that all the rescued Voiceless Victims “were distributed among DACC’s animal care centers where they underwent medical evaluation and treatment .”

Many of the rescued animals had to be euthanized due to their grave health conditions.

 

WESLEY is now facing twenty-five (25) felony counts of cruelty to an animal by neglect.

 

On March 26, 2024, WESLEY was ordered by the Los Angeles Superior Court to not “own” or “possess” any animals. Additionally, proof of relinquishment of all animals is ordered to be shown at his arraignment on April 17, 2024 at the Compton Courthouse.

 

In a statement, DA Gascón said: “I am deeply saddened by the alleged animal cruelty committed by Mr. Wesley. Our community relies on animal rescues to properly care for animals as they await their new homes. The suffering endured by these innocent animals is incomprehensible and will not be tolerated in our community. Our Office’s Animal Cruelty Section will work vigorously to seek justice in this matter.”

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official press releases. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

WESLEY’s photo shared from Compton Animal Rescue’s website.

 

Pictures shared from DACC.




- Texas, USA -

 

~ Update:


I emailed Ms. Faith Wright, the Palm Valley Animal Society director, and asked her whether any animals were found deceased on the property.

Ms. Wright tells me that no animals were found dead and that none of the rescued animals were euthanized. Ms. Wright also said: “We have been able to send all but 25 so far to foster and rescues.”

 

~ Original story:


The McAllen Police Department announced the arrest of 54-years-old LETICIA N. SANDERS and 55-years-old CINDY ANN WELLS (both pictured), in connection with a hoarding case.

 

On the morning of Saturday, March 30, 2024, police received a report from an Uber Eats driver about an odor in the 3400 block of Ozark Avenue.  

 

Responding officers requested assistance at the scene from the McAllen Fire Department and ambulance services.

 

Once inside the property, officials found a large number of dogs and one cat.

 

All of the Voiceless Victims were taken to the Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS). In a Facebook post, the shelter wrote that ninety-three (93) dogs had been rescued from an hoarding case and placed in their care “under dire circumstances.”

 

Valley Central reports that Faith Wright, the Palm Valley Animal Society director of operations, said: “They are very, very matted, some can barely walk, due to their feet being tied together by their hair. It’s been a pretty traumatic situation.”

 

In a subsequent post, PVAS advised that some of the dogs were thankfully placed in foster homes. The other dogs will be transported to rescue groups in San Antonio and New Braunfels.

 

As you can imagine, the Palm Valley Animal Society needs help to face the sudden influx.

Please, visit their Facebook page to learn how you can help. Thank you!

 

SANDERS and WELLS were arraigned on Monday, April 1, 2024, on ninety-four (94) counts of animal cruelty and received a $188,000 bond each.

At time of writing, records show they are being held in the Hidalgo County Jail.

 

# # #

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official sources. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

SANDERS and WELLS’ mugshots shared from the Hidalgo County Jail.

 

Pictures shared from  Palm Valley Animal Society.




- Arizona, USA -


On Monday, September 11, 2023, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department arrested 40-years-old ANDREW KYLE SHALEK (pictured) in connection with drug-related offenses and animal cruelty incidents that took place at a veterinarian clinic in Catalina Foothills where he was employed as veterinarian technician.


The arrest is the result of a joint investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration launched on Friday, September 8, 2023.


Deputies responded to the clinic and the investigation revealed that fentanyl and hydromorphone had been removed from a locked drug cabinet. These drugs were meant to be utilized for surgeries and pain maintenance for animals. The sheriff’s department said SHALEK was caught on camera stealing the medicine from vials and replacing it with saline.


According to the criminal complaint obtained by Voice For Us, staff at the veterinary clinic told investigators “‘multiple surgeries experienced complicationsbecause painkillers used for procedures had been switched with saline.”


Detectives and the DEA executed a search warrant at SHALEK’s residence where evidence was found and confiscated.


The criminal complaint stated that SHALEK “admitted to injecting himself with the drugs” he further admitted to having a drug addiction and “could not help himself.”


Animal Cruelty detectives with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are reviewing the case with the Pima County Attorney’s Office and said that additional charges may be forthcoming.


SHALEK has a criminal history in Pima County.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Link included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



SHALEK's mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.


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