NEVADA CITY – A man is facing dozens of animal cruelty charges after more than 30 dogs were seized and two died, including one in a crash, in Northern California earlier this month, authorities said.
On Oct. 1, deputies received a report that a person owned more than 60 husky-type dogs along Banner Quaker Hill Road in Nevada City. The next day, deputies said animal control officers contacted 67-year-old Brady Fehr at the property.
Fehr indicated that he owned and operated an animal rescue called Mother Lode Husky Haven, deputies said. He stated that 47 dogs were his and 14 others belonged to another rescue.
The officers visited the property again the following day after Fehr was given 24 hours to come into compliance. During the second visit, deputies said Fehr made some improvements, like making shade available to the dogs.
However, one dog, Chance, was seized as deputies said Chance did not have adequate care and appeared to be sick.
Then on Oct. 4, Fehr was involved in a crash along S Shingle Road in El Dorado County. The California Highway Patrol said Fehr was driving a Penske Rental Box Truck and was transporting 11 Husky-mix dogs from his rescue to a different rescue in Mokelumne Hill.
Officers said Fehr veered off the road, crashing into a barbed wire fence, damaging the box truck and creating an opening. This allowed the dogs to exit the box truck.
With a damaged mirror and a blown right rear dually tire, the CHP said witnesses told them that Fehr did not stop and lost several dogs.
Another witness later told CHP officers that they saw Fehr drive through a stop sign and merge onto Highway 16 near Latrobe Road when the witness reported seeing a dog get ejected from the truck.
The sheriff’s office said a dog was killed and several others were injured in this incident. The CHP said Fehr was determined to be driving under the influence of a controlled substance and alcohol.
Two days after the crash, when deputies learned about it, they served a search warrant and contacted Fehr. Deputies said he cooperated and 33 dogs were seized and he was arrested on 33 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one count of felony animal cruelty.
Two dogs required emergency medical care for poor health and injuries, including a broken leg, deputies said. Many of the other dogs are now available for adoption.
However, Chance, the dog seized on Oct. 2, died days later, according to deputies.
Anyone interested in adopting the dogs can call Sammie’s Friends at (530) 471-5041. The animal shelter is also accepting donations to help the rescued dogs. Any donation earmarked for “Chance” will help the dogs.
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