FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — The Central California SPCA is investigating the property where hundreds of animals were found dead in Laton.
The animals were found at a home on Mount Whitney Avenue and Chestnut Avenue on Friday morning.
Later that afternoon, deputies arrested 41-year-old Carl Mendes at his home.
Deputies say somebody passing through the area noticed the property and called the sheriff’s office.
A field operations manager with the Central California SPCA says they’re planning to bring a vet out to the property to check on the remaining animals.
The sheriff’s office says deputies arrived to find the property with close to 300 animals living in “total disarray” and hundreds of other dead animals.
Action News reached out to Carl Mendes, who declined an on-camera interview, but says that animals living there were not neglected and that he hopes to help facilitate new homes for them.
Four teenagers living at the home were placed in Child Protective Services after an inspection of the house showed it to be unsanitary and unlivable, with trash and feces scattered throughout.
Deputies arrested Mendes on child neglect charges.
They say he could likely face animal neglect charges as well.
