Puppy mill - 160 dogs seized - Valley Center, CA

Tuesday, May 21, 2002

County: San Diego

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 18 files available

Defendants/Suspects:
» Michael Dale Garritson
» Margarita Diaz

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Animal Control officers seized 160 ailing dogs, some so weak they couldn't stand, from what authorities said was an illegal kennel at a Valley Center home.

"The dogs were being kept in filthy, squalid conditions," said John Carlson, regional director of North County Animal Shelter. "A couple of the dogs were in very serious medical condition, and I am not too optimistic about their recovery."

The owner of the property, Michael Garritson, has requested an administrative hearing that would force Animal Control officers to prove there was good cause to take the animals, authorities said.

Officials did not classify the kennel as a so-called puppy mill, where dogs are bred for sales at unscrupulous pet stores. Carlson said about 24 of the dogs were puppies.

Animal Control officers began their investigation in March after getting a tip that the dogs were not being properly cared for, Carlson said.

No charges have been filed yet and animal control officials are working with the District Attorney's office to compiling evidence. Investigators say charges will probably include animal abuse, neglect, illegal housing of animals and keeping animals in unsanitary conditions. Some charges may be felonies.

Animal control officers say they were tipped off by a woman who saw a Web site advertising the dogs and went to the Valley Center house to pick out a puppy. The tip came about the same time an employee at nearby Hidden Valley Pump Systems found an ailing dog in the company's parking lot, said co-worker Dan Dhillon.

Dhillon said the employee discovered the dog belonged to Garritson and returned the animal to his family.

Animal Control officers secured a warrant Monday and searched the property May 21, cutting through a locked gate on Valley Center Road about 9:30 a.m.

The dogs -- Yorkshire terriers, English toy spaniels and Cavalier King Charles spaniels -- were living in pens covered in feces and soaked with urine, Carlson said. The dogs were taken to a San Diego animal shelter, where they were examined and treated by veterinary staff.

"Some were so malnourished they couldn't walk or stand up." Carlson said. "The dogs were ailing from malnutrition, to open eyeball wounds, to simply being filthy."

Some of the animals may have to be euthanized, officials said.

Case Updates

On January 15, 2003, Michael D. Garritson pled guilty to one felony count. California Penal Code 597(b). Counts 2-11 were dismissed. He was given probation. He may only have two animals on his property. He must resign from the AKC for life. He will allow the Dept. of Animal Control access to view his property at any time without cause or notice. He will not engage in breeding, directly or indirectly. He will not have any puppies born on his property. He will pay restitution to the Dept. of Animal Control. He was ordered to report immediately to the probation dept.

Source: Plea - January 2003 Update posted on Apr 10, 2006 - 6:11AM

On January 15, 2003, Garritson plead guilty to felony animal cruelty and will be ordered not to breed any animals again. Under the terms of his plea bargain, Garritson will receive 3 years probation and ordered to resign from the American Kennel Club. He will not be allowed to keep more than 2 dogs and must allow his property to be searched without a warrant. The felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor so Garritson, a registered nurse in an Orange County intensive care unit, could keep his job and pay restitution.

Update posted on May 24, 2003 - 4:06PM

Garritson agreed today to plead guilty to animal neglect. He is to return to court Wednesday, at which time he is expected to enter the guilty plea, prosecutor Katherine Flaherty and defense attorney James Dicks said

Update posted on May 5, 2003 - 11:46PM

Garritson has been charged with 10 felonies for animal abuse and neglect and one misdemeanor for an illegal kennel. His trial begins May 5, 2003.

Update posted on Apr 16, 2003 - 10:41PM

References

• NBC San Diego - May 21, 2002 May 21, 2004: Raids Target SoCal Puppy Smuggling Ring May 14, 2004: Sick-Puppy Smuggling Is 'Epidemic,' Say Officials « CA State Animal Cruelty Map
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