Investigators Dig For Puppy Remains
Mass Graves Suspected Behind Pet Store Owners' Home
POSTED: 5:19 p.m. PST March 14, 2003
UPDATED: 5:33 p.m. PST March 14, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Workers armed with shovels dug behind the Del Paso Heights home of the owners of a Sacramento-area pet shop Friday, looking for the remains of dead puppies.
Reed and Kathy Carman, owners of the Puppy Store on Auburn Boulevard, stood by as SPCA workers looked for suspected mass dog graves on city-owned land behind the Carman's Carol Avenue home.
Authorities suspected that dead dogs may have been buried behind the home over the past eight months.
"We obtained a search warrant based on some information we received from a couple sources stating that there's 50 to over 100 dead puppies buried in this area," animal control officer Ruben Hernandez said.
After a day of digging, investigators failed to find any evidence of a mass grave.
The Carmans already face felony animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 74 dogs from their store last month. Many of the dogs have developed parvo virus and several have died.
The couple remains free on bail.
Reed and Kathy Carman, owners of the Puppy Store on Auburn Boulevard, stood by as SPCA workers looked for suspected mass dog graves on city-owned land behind the Carman's Carol Avenue home.
Authorities suspected that dead dogs may have been buried behind the home over the past eight months.
"We obtained a search warrant based on some information we received from a couple sources stating that there's 50 to over 100 dead puppies buried in this area," animal control officer Ruben Hernandez said.
After a day of digging, investigators failed to find any evidence of a mass grave.
The Carmans already face felony animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 74 dogs from their store last month. Many of the dogs have developed parvo virus and several have died.
The couple remains free on bail.
Previous Stories:
- March 13, 2003: Store Owners Trying To Regain Custody Of Seized Animals
- March 7, 2003: More Arrests Made Over Sacramento Puppy Store
- February 28, 2003: 'Puppy Store' Owner Faces Animal Cruelty Charges
- February 20, 2003: 'Puppy Store' Owner Arrested
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