Mohave County animal cruelty case under investigation

MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — A man is facing more than two dozen charges related to an animal cruelty case in Mohave County, according to authorities.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the case began on Aug. 26 after it was reported that a pack of large dogs was chasing livestock, horses, and passing cars in the 14000 block of Pierce Ferry Road in Dolan Springs, Arizona.

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Animal control officers went out to the property and had a pack of seven large dogs surrounded their vehicle when they arrived.

The dogs then began to chase a cafe on the property, and the animal control officers used their vehicle to scare the dogs away from the cafe.

The officers noted several outdoor animal enclosures. In the enclosures were multiple small dogs with matted fur.

“AC Officers observed the floor of the enclosure was covered with feces, with molded food and green-tinted water,” the sheriff’s office said.

The officers found a bucket with three turtles in it.

“The water was black and slimy, with the turtles only visible with their heads above water,” the sheriff’s office said.

Seven small dogs along with the three turtles were taken from the property and sent to the humane society for treatment.

A search warrant was issued and more animals were found.

“Detectives and AC Officers entered an RV with multiple cats inside,” the sheriff’s office said. “Empty food bags were located, however no food was observed, along with more containers of green-tinted water.”

Officers removed three cats, two more big dogs and three puppies.

Humane traps were set to collect other animals on the property.

The property owner was not at the property during the visit. Officials tried to call the man but they could not reach him.

Later in the evening, the man returned to the property, and deputies were able to talk to the man, identified as Jorge Gonzalez Reyes.

Reyes said he was the owner of the animals. He told deputies he stayed at the property on “an occasional basis,” the sheriff’s office said.

Reyes was issued the following citations:

• 7 counts of dog at large
• 7 counts of dogs chasing livestock
• 15 counts of no dog license
• 1 count Operating a Kennel without a License

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