The Newman Police Department has arrested a Mariposa man who is suspected of leaving multiple dogs inside cages with no food or water out in the hot sun.
The suspect, identified as Darryl Coleman, 54, is also facing a charge of possession of child pornography after investigators found an image on his cell phone.
On July 27, the Newman Police Department got a report of suspected animal neglect at a home in the 600 block of Fig Lane. At the residence, officers found the bed of a truck and an attached trailer stacked high with dogs in kennels. The truck and the trailer were both parked in the sun and the dogs were all showing signs of being overheated, according to the police department.
“The dogs were found to be panting, without water, and the majority without food,” the police department stated in a social media post. “They were found to be covered in feces and some in poor physical condition, including missing fur and skin and appearing to be malnourished.”
The investigation showed the vehicle had arrived at the Newman property during the early morning hours of July 26. In total, there were 17 dogs.
Coleman was at the property but had to be taken to a hospital for a medical incident. On Aug. 2, Coleman was taken into custody and charged with 17 counts of animal cruelty and animal neglect.
A search warrant had been obtained for Coleman’s cell phone, which is how investigators discovered the child pornography.
All of the dogs have been improving since coming under the care of the Newman Animal Shelter. None of the dogs had to be euthanized from the incident, said Newman Police Lt. Brent Short.
The outpouring from the community resulted in more than 2,500 pounds of donated dog food for the shelter and ore than$7,000 in cash donations, Short said.
The Newman Animal Shelter advised that anyone missing a dog can email them a photo and they will contact those that might be a match. The shelter email is newmananimalservices@cityofnewman.com.