Mesquite Dog Rescue Count Climbs Past 100 as Two Suspects Face Animal Neglect Charges
The number of dogs recovered in Mesquite’s months-long animal welfare investigation has grown to more than 100, up from the 77 initially reported, after officers discovered an additional 30 animals that had been hidden away.
Two suspects, Giustino Laudando and Michelle Santos, have now been arrested and face over 100 separate charges of animal neglect stemming from the case.
Laudando, who had previously been arrested twice on warrants related to animal ordinance violations, was found living on Bureau of Land Management property outside Mesquite city limits after being evicted from his residence earlier this year.
Officers contacted him again on May 15 when he returned to the city, at which point they recovered the dogs from his RV.
Sgt. Jaime Stout of the Mesquite Police Department described the conditions inside the vehicle.
“15 years, I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve heard stories, but me personally, I’ve never seen anything like this,” reports Fox5 Las Vegas.
Since the initial recovery, at least one dog has given birth to four puppies, adding to the total number of animals now in the shelter’s care.
Many of the dogs require significant medical treatment, and all will need vaccinations as well as spaying and neutering procedures.
The Mesquite Animal Shelter says it is well stocked with food and supplies, but the volume of animals and the cost of ongoing medical care has created a significant financial strain.
Officials are asking anyone who wants to help to make a monetary donation by contacting the Mesquite Police Department’s records division at (702) 346-6911.
We previously covered the initial rescue and the shelter’s call for community support when 77 dogs were first removed from the RV on May 15.
The case carries echoes of the ongoing situation in Las Vegas, where 31 dogs seized from Working Dogs of Nevada remain in legal limbo at The Animal Foundation, waiting on a criminal case that could take months or years to resolve.