Dogs rescued from home of backyard breeder in Pomona
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A Pomona backyard dog breeder faces animal cruelty charges after authorities raided her home and seized nearly 40 dogs. The home was raided Thursday after the Inland Valley Humane Society received a tip that sick puppies were being bred there.
A man says he purchased a puppy from Filberta Lopez, 66, for $200 after seeing a classified ad in the Penny Saver. He met her in a parking lot to complete the transaction and discovered a few days later that the animal was sick with parvovirus, a condition that can lead to sudden death in puppies. It was later euthanized.
The man told investigators that he’d repeatedly called Lopez’s number listed in the Penny Saver, with which he’d originally made contact with her, but received no response. He and a friend then set up a ‘sting operation,’ learned Lopez’s license plate number and contacted authorities. KTLA reports:
Officials said this is the second animal cruelty arrest for Lopez within two years, according to IVHS officials. In 2007, Lopez was convicted of cruelty to animals for similar offenses. At that time 60 dogs were confiscated by authorities. She was later convicted on animal cruelty charges because many of the animals were also sick. [Humane investigator Beth] Les said Filberta Lopez was considered an ‘angel’ in her neighborhood because she rescued stray dogs. But, it turns out she is also accused of stealing her neighbor’s dogs. Many of the confiscated animals still had their tags.
The dogs will be put up for adoption at the Inland Valley Humane Society after they’ve been successfully treated for various medical problems.
-- Lindsay Barnett
Video: KTLA