More than 50 dogs were seized, and a Patrick Springs mother and son both charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, according to Sheriff Dan Smith.
Animal control officers and sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at a residence on Blueberry Lane in Patrick Springs on Wednesday afternoon, Smith said.
Caroline Laprad, 89, and her son Charles Dean Laprad, 54, both were arrested, and each charged with 14 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.
The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into conditions at the home in which 58 dogs were seized on Wednesday, according to Smith.
Animal Control officer Ronnie Williams said he had visited the home in late May. He alleged seeing multiple dogs that appeared to be suffering from severe skin conditions and other signs of neglect. Williams said he spoke to Charles Laprad at that time and told him to seek veterinary care for the dogs. Williams and deputy Animal Control Officers Wanda Vaden and Angela Martin, along with several sheriff’s deputies, went to the Blueberry Lane address shortly after noon on Wednesday to conduct a follow up investigation of the animals’ conditions and to see if improvement had been made since May, Smith said in the release.
Williams alleged conditions had “worsened since May, and we had to find immediate care for the dogs.” Because of the magnitude of the case, Smith stated asked City of Martinsville Police Officer E.C. Stone, Animal Control Officer, for help.
A total of 58 dogs were seized from inside the home and from a small fenced in area attached to the primary residence, Smith said.
Williams stated that the dogs ran freely from inside the house into the fenced area outside. He alleged conditions were deplorable.
Charles Laprad allegedly “offered a significant amount of verbal resistance and had to be arrested and removed from the scene shortly after deputies arrived,” Smith said in the release.
The Humane Society of Virginia was contacted, and Angels of Assisi Animal Rescue from Roanoke responded to the scene and transported the animals to their shelter, according to Smith, who added the animals will receive veterinary care while they are being boarded.
The 14 misdemeanor counts against each of the Laprads are a result of the dogs being “in the worst physical condition of the 58 dogs seized,” Smith said.
Staff members of the Angels of Assisi have said that they are hopeful that many of the dogs can eventually be adopted out once their conditions improve, pending the outcome of the court process, Smith said.
Noting the Animal Cruelty statute in Virginia states it is a felony if any companion animal dies as the result of the neglect of injury, Smith said charges could be upgraded if any of the seized dogs die. Charles Laprad is being held in the Patrick County Jail without bail, according to Smith.
Caroline Laprad was released on a recognizance bond, he added.
