Prosecutors want dogs from suspected Modesto puppy mill turned over to animal control
The roughly 150 dogs authorities seized last week from a suspected puppy mill being operated out of a west Modesto duplex are in the care of the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency.
The dogs are being held and cared for in several undisclosed locations, Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Tracy Griffin said. They are French bulldogs, Dobermans and other breeds, many with American Kennel Club registrations, authorities say.
The man charged in the dogs’ abuse, Nicholas Dean Baugh, remains their legal owner. But Griffin said she plans to petition the court Wednesday, asking the judge to turn the dogs over to animal services to speed up finding the dogs new homes. Griffin is the designated animal abuse prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Office.
She said Baugh’s legal rights include an administrative hearing to prove he can care for the animals. She said petitioning the judge in his criminal case is faster than going through the administrative hearing process.
“We want to expedite finding new loving, forever homes for the dogs,” said Griffin, “whether through direct adoption or interim foster placements or rescue groups.”
The additional dogs have strained Animal Services’ resources.
Interim Executive Director Ron Reid said his agency has kennels for 188 dogs but had 242 dogs before last week’s seizure.
Reid said the public can help by considering adopting one of Animal Services’ other dogs. “There are lots of good dogs here besides the ones we took (in the seizure).”
He said Animal Services also could use 300 towels or thin blankets for bedding for the dogs removed from the west Modesto duplex. Chew toys, as long as they are not made out of rawhide or anything else edible, also are needed. Reid asked that people not donate dog beds or food.
The towels, blankets and toys can be dropped off at Animal Services, 3647 Cornucopia Way, Modesto. Animal Services is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Its hours of operation are listed at www.stanislausanimalservices.com and are available by calling 209-558-7387.
Reid said checks also are welcome. They can be made out to SASA and mailed to the agency’s Cornucopia Way address. The ZIP code is 95358.
Griffin said authorities found 151 dogs at the duplex, which is on the 500 block of Roselawn Avenue. Authorities have said Baugh occupied both units in the duplex. A video taken by animal control officers shows some dogs in small cages.
Griffin said one dog, a puppy, was dead, and authorities had to euthanize an emaciated dog. She said another dog has died since the animals were removed from the duplex.
Baugh, 38, is charged in the injury and torture of two women, as well as animal abuse and arson. He appeared in Stanislaus County Superior Court on Monday. His bail was set at $850,000.
