Animal Rescue Owners Arrested on Suspicion of Felony Animal Cruelty
Hollister authorities have reportedly arrested the owners of a local animal rescue as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged animal cruelty.
According to a press release by the Hollister Police Department, the department’s Animal Care and Services division opened an investigation into SBC Pet-A-Palooza Rescue Inc., a local animal rescue organization, after receiving a report of dozens of animals living in unsanitary conditions. Animal Control Officers conducted the investigation.
On March 7, Animal Care and Hollister PD officers served a search warrant on the 700 block of El Toro, where they discovered dozens of animals housed with no food or water and built-up feces. Authorities arrested the founders of the animal rescue, identified as Richard Lopez, 60, and Susie Alarcon, 59, on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.
As part of the investigation, Animal Control officers recovered thirteen dogs and around 200 hundred cats from the property. Authorities have begun making arrangements with other local animal care organizations such as Hitchcock Road Animal Services, Red Dog Ranch Animal Rescue, Cat Crew California, Joybound, and others to provide the animals with the necessary care and place them in new homes.
