Grass Valley Couple Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges; 18 Dogs Rescued
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has provided an update regarding the recent arrest of a Grass Valley couple, Rita Marie Cox, aged 48, and Roy Aaron Cox, aged 42, on charges of animal cruelty. The arrest, made on March 18, 2025, involved allegations of depriving animals of necessary sustenance or causing them unnecessary suffering. Contrary to earlier reports, the search was not a routine probation check but was related to Rita Cox’s conditions from a current Own Recognizance (OR) release tied to an open animal cruelty case from 2022.
During the search at their residence on Dana Ct., officers found eighteen dogs in extremely poor living conditions, characterized by urine-soaked carpets, excessive fecal matter, and a general lack of access to clean water, food, or adequate shelter. Rita Cox also faces an additional charge for violating a court order which specifically prohibited her from having any animals under her control, except for two dogs owned by a caretaker.
Following their arrest, the couple was taken to Wayne Brown Correctional Facility. The seized dogs, ranging from newborns to adults, were placed in the care of Sammie’s Friends, a local animal shelter. Some of the puppies are expected to be available for adoption soon. Individuals interested in adoption can reach out to Sammie’s Friends for more information.
