Information provided by Hollister Police Department. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

Hollister Police announced it arrested Luis Giovanni Perez, 34, who is associated with HollisterBullies831 for alleged felony animal cruelty and possession of a schedule 3 controlled substance used as an anesthetic agent during surgical procedures.

According to the news release, Hollister Police Animal Care and Services received a report of a local resident that reportedly offered ear cropping, artificial insemination and other services to local dog owners. 

It added that Animal Control officers investigated the allegations and that on April 15, Hollister Police Animal Care and Services along with the Hollister Police Department served a search warrant at the residence located in the 200 block of Bravada Circle. 

Police said animals were discovered without food or water and housed with built up feces and Animal Control officers seized 17 dogs from the property and provided them with immediate veterinary care. 

“Upon evaluation by a local veterinarian, the animals did not appear to be in any immediate distress and were released to their respective owners later that day,” according to the release.

It added it is unlawful for any person having charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, to subject any animal to needless suffering, inflict unnecessary cruelty upon an animal or in any manner abuse an animal or deprive an animal of necessary sustenance, drink or shelter as it violates California PC 597. 

“A violation of this subdivision is punishable as a felony by imprisonment, or by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars, or by both that fine and imprisonment,” according to the news release.  “Hollister Police Animal Care and Services would also like to remind the public that it is unlawful to possess schedule classified drugs without proper credentials.  A violation of this subdivision is punishable as a felony by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year.”

Policed said it is “extremely grateful” to the people that reported this to the appropriate authorities. 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is requested to contact Animal Control Officer Una’Dia at 831-636-4320.