WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A man from Utah who is accused of killing two sheriff’s deputies in northern California apparently left behind 6 pets in his West Valley City home, and animal control officers said one animal has died, one was injured, and the others were starving.
Animal control officers got a call this week about some pets that had been abandoned at a house located near 2900 West and 3000 South.
The pets initially appeared to be healthy enough for officials to follow normal procedures, and they had posted a notice on the door of the residence for the owners to contact them and were waiting for a required 24-hour period. Before that time elapsed, another call was made to report that one dog appeared to have died and another was injured.
Officers went to the home and verified the report, which allowed them to obtain a warrant and enter the home. They went inside and found five dogs and one cat. They said a pit bull was injured and a Jack Russell terrier had died. Officers said the two dogs were likely attacked by three rottweilers kept in the home–an adult male and female as well as one puppy.
“We believe those injuries happened because the animals were being starved,” said Nathan Beckstead, who is an animal control field supervisor for West Valley City and Taylorsville. “They didn’t have water. They were going into a survival mode… It’s not indicative of the dogs. I believe the dogs are very good dogs, they do need a little extra love and attention as they are retrained to behave properly.”
Beckstead said there was no food or water for the animals in the house, but the dogs had been fed periodically by people who put food over the fence. The cat was in a locked room without food and water and appeared to be emaciated. There were approximately three weeks’ worth of feces in the room where the cat was found.
The animals were all removed from the home. Beckstead said it is not clear whether or not charges will be filed in the case, which is still under investigation.
The animals’ owner is 34-year-old Marcelo Marquez, who allegedly shot and killed Deputy Michael Davis Junior and Deputy Danny Oliver in California October 24. Another officer was also injured in the shooting and ensuing chase. Click here for more details regarding the shooting.
Animal control officers said it’s likely the animals Marquez left behind will be put up for adoption.
