Abandoment of 16 dogs Mesa, AZ (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 26, 2001 County: Maricopa Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Thomas Mccarter

Case ID: 383 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in AZ (US) Login to Watch this Case

An Apache Junction man can't own any animals for the next three years while he is on probation for an animal cruelty conviction. Thomas McCarter, 44, also was sentenced to three months in jail.

Authorities say McCarter abandoned 16 dogs in a trailer home. Seven of the animals died.

He pleaded guilty to two animal cruelty charges.

Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Elizabeth Arriola ordered that McCarter must consent to random searches by authorities to make sure he has no pets and pay $6,250 in restitution.

A real estate agent who was taking possession of McCarter's property found the dead dogs Dec. 26 in a locked bedroom in the home, located in an unincorporated area of Maricopa County east of Mesa.

The surviving animals were emaciated, and one had a broken leg.

Authorities said McCarter admitted to leaving the dogs without any food or water for about 10 days.

The dogs were taken for rehabilitation to a retired county jail that has been put to use as a kennel. The three puppies and six dogs were adopted in late January, officials said.

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References

Associated Press, Feb 28, 2002

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