WHEATON, Md. (AP) — A Maryland man is facing trial on animal cruelty charges after 33 Chihuahuas were found last fall in his SUV.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the dogs were in various states of health. Court records filed in Montgomery County state that 18 dogs appeared to be starving or malnourished. Three were pregnant.
Court records say a puppy was euthanized. Its stomach contained uncooked rice, plant material and tin foil. Animal control investigator Jack Breckenridge says it ate anything it could find.
The Chihuahuas’ former owner is 41-year-old Javier Enrique Peralta of Wheaton. He strongly disputes the charges. He says the dogs were in his SUV because he’d been evicted and was taking them to a new home.
The trial is scheduled for July.
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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com
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