Three Sun Valley residents face arraignment June 27 on misdemeanor charges stemming from an investigation into the sale of sick puppies in the San Fernando Valley, prosecutors said Tuesday. Daniel Ruiz, 51, and Graciela Garcia, 50, are each charged with animal cruelty, selling dogs in a public place without a permit, operating a kennel without a permit and not having dog licenses, according to the City Attorney's Office. Ruiz's older brother, Ismael Ruiz, 53, is charged with operating a kennel without a permit and not having dog licenses.
The case was referred to city prosecutors by the Los Angeles Department of Animal Service's East Valley branch, which received complaints about puppies being sold from a van parked near the Sunland Boulevard entrance to the Golden State (5) Freeway. Investigators determined that many of the animals were unhealthy, and one suffered from parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that killed the animal, according to the City Attorney's Office. Witnesses led investigators to the van, which was traced to the Sun Valley home of Daniel Ruiz and Garcia, authorities said.
Ruiz told Animal Service investigators that he had sold the puppies out of the van, and agreed to relinquish ownership of six of the nine dogs in his possession and to provide medical care for the remaining animals, which appeared to have skin lesions, according to the City Attorney's Office.
During their investigation, investigators saw another van, this one registered to Ismael Ruiz. An investigation of his home yielded three adult dogs and a litter of puppies without access to shelter, officials said.
Each animal cruelty charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $20,000 fine, while the other charges carry a maximum six-month jail term and $1,000 fine. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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