Backyard breeder - 17 dogs seized, one dies
Vineland, NJ (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 5, 2007
County: Cumberland
Disposition: Not Charged
Person of Interest: Juan Alverro
Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized 17 dogs and puppies Friday from what Executive Director Bev Greco described as an "illegal kennel" on Almond Street in Vineland.
A city man will additionally face animal neglect charges after a Chihuahua he received from the kennel was found starving at his home on Montrose Street around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, according to SPCA Executive Director Bev Greco.
Greco said the dog had to be euthanized because of its condition.
"We got a call there was a Chihuahua barely breathing on Montrose Street. We sent animal control out and found a little female Chihuahua ... terribly emaciated," she said. "She was taken to a vet, who said the dog was too far gone. We had to euthanize her."
The dog's owner, Juan Alverro, will most likely be charged by the SPCA for failing to provide adequate food, water and veterinary care for it, according to Greco.
The discovery of the starving Chihuahua led SPCA investigators to investigate how Alverro obtained the dog.
Investigators went to the Almond Street home of Manuel Martinez, who Greco said the SPCA has had issues with before, and whom Alverro claimed gave him the dog.
At Martinez's home, they noticed the distinct smell of feces and urine, according to Greco.
Greco said Martinez had 22 dogs on his property, most of which were Chihuahuas.
Vineland only permits homeowners to have five dogs per residence without a kennel license.
Martinez did not have a kennel license.
"In the long run, we ended up taking three litters," Greco said, including three adult female Chihuahuas, three adult male Chihuahuas, 12 Chihuahua puppies, a Miniature Pinscher puppy and an adult Shih Tzu.
Although the dogs needed veterinary care, for the most part, all were healthy.
Greco doesn't believe Martinez will face charges for running an illegal kennel, which would have to be administered through the Vineland Zoning Board.
"The city will not press charges as long as (Martinez) releases everything voluntarily," she said.
She added that the SPCA has not decided whether or not they intend to press charges against Martinez. References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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