Laton man accused of animal cruelty, child neglect appears in court

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno County antheral accused of keeping hundreds of dormant and neglected animals connected his spot adjacent Laton appeared successful tribunal Tuesday, much than a twelvemonth aft his arrest.

Carl Joseph Mendes was taken into custody successful May 2024 aft deputies with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office made a horrifying discovery: much than 500 dormant animals, immoderate reduced to skeletal remains.

RELATED: Cleanup continues aft hundreds of dormant animals recovered successful Laton

Mendes told investigators helium had purchased animals astatine auction to nourish and reconstruct them to health. However, prosecutors allege helium did the nonstop opposite.

One emaciated piglet was recovered successful specified mediocre information that it had to beryllium euthanized connected site. Six newborn goats, umbilical cords inactive attached, were recovered weak, underweight, and without entree to beverage oregon water, according to tribunal documents.

Investigators besides recovered 150 chickens, roosters, and pigeons crammed into feces-covered pens, without cleanable water, and surviving among dormant birds. Many were infected with superior and highly contagious diseases.

Mendes appeared successful tribunal alongside his attorney, Tiffany Pack, and pleaded not blameworthy to each charges.

"We're astatine crushed zero," Pack said. "We're trying to get some points of presumption connected the lawsuit that he's accused of. We support he's innocent, helium maintains he's innocent, and we program to instrumentality this each the way."

Mendes is scheduled to instrumentality to tribunal connected July 22.

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