GOLDEN VALLEY, Ariz. – A Hesperia, California man was arrested when Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies conducted an animal welfare check in Golden Valley on Saturday, June 20. Agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen a reporting party indicated concern that multiple cages of cats were situated in the bed of a pickup truck that were exposed to sun for an extended period of time in the 5000 block of Highway 68.
Mortensen said arriving deputies made contact with David Cox, 72, the registered owner of the vehicle. She said they requested Animal Control assistance after observing cages of cats.
Animal Control officers reportedly located multiple cages of cats and kittens and an aquarium-type habitat inside the truck.
“At the conclusion of the search of the vehicle, five rattlesnakes (three dead and two live), and 16 cats (nine adult, six kittens, one deceased kitten) were removed from the truck,” Mortensen said.
Mortensen said Cox was arrested for endangerment and for 22 counts of cruelty to animals. Investigation continues.
