A Laton man faces felony animal cruelty and child endangerment charges after authorities found hundreds of dead and neglected animals, along with children living in hazardous conditions, on his property. (GV Wire Composite)
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A Laton man is facing felony charges after investigators discovered widespread animal neglect and hundreds of dead animals on his property, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.
Carl Joseph Mendes, 42, has been charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty and three counts of child endangerment following a joint investigation involving the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Central California SPCA, and Fresno Humane Animal Services.
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Officers responded to Mendes’ rural property on May 3, 2024, after receiving reports of animal abuse.
What they found, officials said, was a grim scene of mass neglect and death.
Pigs were confined in pens alongside decomposing carcasses, including animals that had deteriorated to skeletal form. One piglet was in such critical condition it had to be euthanized on-site.
Six newborn goats were found inside a trailer, some with umbilical cords still attached. Prosecutors said that they were lethargic, underweight, and had no access to milk or water.
One baby goat was discovered dead inside a cage; another had to be euthanized.
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Roughly 150 chickens, roosters, and pigeons were discovered in filthy, feces-contaminated pens, lacking clean water. Officials said many of the birds were infected with highly contagious diseases.
Several died or were euthanized during the investigation.
Fresno County Public Health crews later estimated that 400 to 500 dead animals were on the property, including several dumped into mass burial pits, officials said.
In addition to the animal abuse, prosecutors said children living on the property were exposed to the same hazardous and unsanitary conditions, prompting the child endangerment charges.
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If convicted on all charges, Mendes faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in local prison.
He is scheduled to be arraigned May 27 in Fresno County Superior Court.
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