The following summary of animal abuse suspects facing various criminal charges was sent in a news release by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office:

-Occurrence Location: 4100 block of E. Valley Auto Drive Mesa, Arizona

On 05-10-2008 Daniel Betancourt D.O.B. 12-11-1985 advertised via an internet site called Craigs List that he had rabies vaccines and could sell them to people for a low cost and administer the shot to your dog.

An undercover operation was conducted and on 05-23-2008 Daniel Betancourt was arrested in the 4100 block of E. Valley Auto Drive Mesa, Arizona with (2) filled syringes one of which was for rabies vaccine.

Daniel Betancourt was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and charged with (1) count of solicitation to practice veterinary medicine and (2) counts of practicing veterinary medicine without a license or registration, all counts are class 1 misdemeanors.

-Occurrence Location:  29000 block of W. Roosevelt Street, Buckeye, AZ 85326

On 5/20/08 at 1515 hours, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Jaime L. Brito at his home for disorderly conduct involving weapons(ARS 2904.A.6, F6), endangerment (ARS 13-1201.A, M1), and animal cruelty; cruel mistreatment(13-2910.A.4, M1). 

The original incident occurred on 12/11/07 when Jaime shot and severely wounded a neighbor’s Pit Bull after it was involved in a fight with his own dog.  Jaime’s German Shepherd somehow got into the backyard of a home on the 29000 block of W. Roosevelt and fought with the resident Pit Bull, named Red.  Jaime retrieved a .22 caliber rifle and shot the Pit Bull 3 to 4 times in the stomach area before the dog ran off.  The dog was later found by its owner’s brother and put down.

Jaime fired at the Pit Bull through a chain link fence when the dog posed no threat to anyone.  Also, at the time of the shooting the Pit Bull’s owner stood about 15 feet from Jaime who discharged his rifle with 10 feet of an occupied structure.

-Occurrence Location:  2300 block of W. White Feather Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85085

On 5/21/08 at 2:20pm, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Bobbie Jo McAllister at her home on 2 counts of animal abandonment (ARS 13-2910.A.1; M1), 2 counts of failure to provide food (ARS 13-2910.A.1, M1), and 2 counts of failure to provide water (ARS 13-2910.A.1; M1) 

On 2/12/08 Bobbie Jo McAllister was evicted from her home on the 2300 block of W. White Feather Lane in Phoenix.  She left behind 2 Pit Bulls that were her sole responsibility.  After 2 weeks of returning to the house to feed and water the dogs Bobbie stopped.

The 2 Pit Bulls were abandoned in the White Feather home from 2/26/08 until 3/3/08 (7 days) when the property manager opened the garage door.  Both Pit Bulls ran from the home and into the neighborhood.  Only one of the Pit Bulls was caught, and it is currently being cared for at the MASH Unit.

Inside the home there was evidence that the 2 Pit Bulls were left inside with no access to get outside.  There was dog feces in 2 of the upstairs bedrooms and some of children’s toys left behind had been chewed on.

-Occurrence Location:  14000 block of N. 75^th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85381

On 5/27/08 at 10:55pm, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested David L. Bowers at his home on 4 counts of animal abandonment (felony) (ARS 13-2910.A.8, F6) and 4 counts of failure to provide medical care (ARS 13-2910.A.2, M1).  

Original Incident:

On 4/17/08 at 1518 hours, David L. Bowers was taken into federal custody for civil contempt of court in the 9^th Circuit US District Court.  He advised the judge that he had horses and one cat at home that he would not be able to care while he was in custody.  The judge asked David if he could name anyone that would be able to care for the animals.  He said there was no one and offered no assistance in finding anyone.

On four different occasions David failed to assist the court in locating anyone that would help care for his animals while he was held in custody.  David was in custody for a total of 30 days and in that time never made an attempt to find alternative care for his animals.  David further refused to provide access to the property or feed for the horses to facilitate the neighbors caring for the animals.  In addition, it has been established that David lied to the federal judge regarding the status of friends and family that may be able to assist with care for the animals. 

While David was in federal custody one of his horses, a pregnant mare, had birth complications resulting in a stillborn foal.  The mare suffered injuries and was ultimately euthanized due to a tetanus infection deemed incurable by a veterinarian.  David’s three remaining horses were cared for by David’s neighbors.  These neighbors acted on their own accord and were never told to provide such care. 

-Arrest Location:   6300 block of N. 65^th Ave, Glendale Az.

On 5/20/08 at 12:41pm, Marcus A. Sueing at his residence for an outstanding warrant issued for, 13-2910 Animal Cruelty, failure to provide medical treatment.  Sueing was taken to the 4^th Avenue jail and booked.