Police arrested a Hollister resident on suspicion of felony animal cruelty after authorities observed a four-month-old puppy dying at the suspect’s home, Hollister Police said.
Hollister Police Animal and Care and Services earlier this month received a report of a local resident who had failed to provide veterinary care to her dying puppy, the police department said in a statement.
Animal control officers began an investigation. On Nov. 12, officers responded to a home on the 100 block of Chestnut Lane in west Hollister, police said.
A four-month-old German Shepherd mix puppy was found at the time, “in distress and actively dying” at the time officers arrived, police said. The officers arrested Aurora Carbajal, 64, on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.
Animal control officers immediately transported the animal to a local veterinarian for treatment, police said. The puppy died on the way to the veterinarian’s office.
Police said it was the 23rd arrest this year for animal cruelty related charges.
“Hollister Police Animal Care and Services would like to remind the public that it is unlawful for any person having charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, to subject any animal to needless suffering, inflict unnecessary cruelty upon an animal, or in any manner abuse an animal, or deprives an animal of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter as it violates California (penal code) 597,” Hollister Police said.
A violation of PC 597 is punishable as a felony by imprisonment, or by a fine of not more than $20,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment, police added.
Residents of San Benito County can surrender their dogs or cats at the Hollister Animal Shelter if the owner is unable to care for the animal, according to the city’s website. The shelter, located at 1331 South Street, only accepts animals surrendered from within San Benito County, for a fee of $64 per animal.
Anyone who wants to surrender an animal must schedule an appointment with the Hollister Animal Shelter before giving up the animal. For more information, contact the shelter at 831.636.4320.
For more information about Hollister Animal Care and Services, visit the city’s website at https://tinyurl.com/29pas92k.
