After Round Up Pet Center’s closure, Animal Services of Santa Cruz County’s Henry Brzezinski (left) and Michael Sharp check the facility for malnourished and dead animals. Press-Banner file photo
Brenda and Brian Sanders have been charged with the willful abandonment of an animal, general animal neglect, and failure to keep up the pet store’s maintenance and care of the premises, said Todd Stosuy of Santa Cruz County Animal Services.
Stosuy said the investigation is complete, and animal services has filed a report with the District Attorney’s Office on May 27.
“These are all misdemeanor charges that could have any number of outcomes,” Stosuy said.
Those possible outcomes include jail time, restitution and probation, Stosuy said.
Dozens of dead animals were found in the vacated shop March 31, more than a month after the business shut its doors because the owners could not afford the rent.
Round Up Pet Center operated out of King’s Village Shopping Center on Mount Hermon Road before it went out of business in late February.
Four hamsters, two Thai crabs, two crawfish, three saltwater snails, a catfish and 18 goldfish were found dead in the shop, according to animal services reports. A small number of fish and crabs that were still alive were taken by the agency.
“This case really illustrates that Animal Services won’t stand for cruelty and abuse, no matter what the animal,” Stosuy said.
Their purchase of the pets came with an ethical understanding that they care for those animals. There were numerous choices they could and should have made to prevent the unnecessary deaths.