TWO DANA POINT RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT FOR RUNNING ILLEGAL POMERANIAN PUPPY MILL

TWO DANA POINT RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT FOR RUNNING ILLEGAL POMERANIAN PUPPY MILL

Santa Ana— Mark Bock, 36, and Jeffrey Worley, 37, of Dana Point, have been charged with 50 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and neglect stemming from their business called “Pearlie’s House of Pomeranians.”  The defendants are accused of selling Pomeranians out of their home and maintaining an illegal kennel in the residence.  The defendants had been previously warned and cited by law enforcement for unauthorized animal sales and failure to provide medical treatment for animals in their care.

In September 2003, one victim bought a puppy for $6,700 only to find out the dog had a hole in its heart and was suffering from pneumonia.  The victim’s veterinarian suggested that she return the puppy because it was unfit for sale.  The puppy died within 10 days of the purchase.  She did not receive a refund and was threatened with legal action by the defendants if she stopped payment on her check.

In February 2004, a second victim purchased a puppy from the defendants for $973.  Within a week, the dog was coughing up roundworms and was diagnosed with a parasite and with corneal trauma.  One of the roundworms that the puppy coughed up was seven inches in length.

In May 2004, a third victim purchased a puppy from the defendants for $2,000.  Within one hour, the puppy had vomited, had blood in its stool, and had diarrhea.  When the victim tried to return the dog saying it was sick, the defendants denied knowing her.

In January 2005, law enforcement officers found 39 Pomeranian puppies hidden in a secret room in the attic and two dead puppies in the freezer.  The rescued puppies were ill with respiratory and parasitic problems.  They were immediately taken from the home and placed on antibiotics at the Coastal Animal Services Authority (CASA).  One puppy has died and another is battling pneumonia.  The other 37 puppies are recovering without complications.  CASA has provided more than $16,000 in services to heal and

care for the puppies.  The court is currently considering what to do with the surviving Pomeranians.

Defendants Bock and Worley were arraigned on Monday, February 7, 2005, and taken into custody on $25,000 bail.  The defendants bailed out the next day.  They are scheduled for a pre-trial on Monday, February 14 at 8:30 a.m. in department S3 of the South Justice Center, 30143 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.  Deputy District Attorney Caroline Smith has been assigned to prosecute the case.

Additional victims who purchased a Pomeranian puppy from the defendants are encouraged to contact Officer Jill Moran at the Coastal Animal Services Authority (949) 361-6108. 

###