Puppies left to die in desert Wickenburg, AZ (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Jan 21, 2004 County: Maricopa Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Misdemeanor Alleged: Jacob Walter

Case ID: 1919 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in AZ (US) Login to Watch this Case

Jacob Walter, 23, of Wickenburg, turned himself into authorities and was arrested on six counts of animal cruelty for leaving a box of six puppies in the desert to die.

Walter, who is 23, told McWilliams that he left the puppies in the desert because he could not keep them at this girlfriend's home, where they were born.

The arrest was made after a picture of the puppies appeared in The Wickenburg Sun. Several individuals called the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office with information regarding a possible suspect. Eventually Walter called the Sheriff's Office to speak about the incident.

Walter's arrest took place in front of Wickenburg Justice Court Judge John Henry, who later released him. He will face six Class-1 misdemeanor charges, punishable up to six months each. His initial court hearing will take place in Wickenburg on Feb. 2004.

Authorities stated felony charges were ruled out because the puppies were found before any substantial harm was done. He estimated the puppies were in the desert for about 3-4 hours before being discovered by hunters near the Flying E Ranch and US Highway 60.

A foster home was found for the puppies where they are being cared for. All six puppies have been adopted.

Randazzo, who cared for the puppies until homes were found, said all six puppies were adopted within the first 48 hours of the picture appearing in the newspaper.

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Wickenburg Sun

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