An animal welfare group in Monterey County said a man impersonated a veterinarian in Prunedale and Salinas and is suspected of animal abuse and cruelty.  

The SPCA Monterey County said the man is providing veterinary care without a license and has been giving examinations, prescribing medications and even performing surgeries on animals.  

“At least one dog died due to the negligence of this man, with multiple others needing follow-up vet care,” said a spokesperson for the SPCA on Tuesday.  

SPCA investigators believe there may be additional victims in the community are asking them to come forward.  

The man was most recently allegedly performing illegal, unlicensed veterinary procedures on the 1600 block of Blackie Road in Prunedale. He also previously used a home on McGowan Drive in Salinas.   

On Nov. 4, SPCA investigators served a search warrant accompanied by Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies and District Attorney’s Office investigators.  

“We found 12 French Bulldogs with no food or water in small cages,” said the SPCA. “Four of the dogs were housed in a shed with no access to sunlight or ventilation. A thin German Shepherd was free-roaming and a Doberman was housed in a small kennel with no food or water.” 

The animal welfare group seized the 14 dogs and two horses. The dogs are in protective custody, and the horses have been returned to their rightful owners, they said. 

This is an active, ongoing case. Anyone with information that can help investigators should please contact SPCA Humane Investigations Officer Emily Leon at (831) 264-5436 or online at www.spcamc.org. All calls are confidential.   

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.