“Total disarray”: Man arrested after hundreds of dead animals found in Laton

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — A man has been arrested after hundreds of dead and live animals were discovered in deplorable conditions in Laton.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office arrested 41-year-old Carl Mendes Friday at a home on Mt. Whitney Avenue and Chestnut Street.

Deputies say somebody passing through the area noticed the property and called the Sheriff’s Office. When Action News crews arrived on the scene, you could smell the stench from the property.

When deputies arrived, they found the property with close to 300 animals living in “total disarray” and hundreds of other dead animals. The animals include pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and more.

Mendes was arrested on child neglect charges because he has four teenagers living at the home with him. Deputies say he will likely face animal neglect charges as well. The four teenagers will be placed into the care of Child Protective Services.

Fresno Humane has been working with deputies to rescue the animals in the most need. Investigators say it will take several days to rescue the rest on the property.

“There was a pig that we found that was suffering, so we did have to put that pig down using a firearm,” Fresno County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tony Botti said. “This is just a disgusting case. It’s filthy and deplorable; nobody should be living in these conditions. Humans or animals.”

Investigators say Mendes told deputies he goes to auctions and buys animals to nourish them back to health.

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About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.

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