‘Sadistic’ California vineyard shooter kills 81 animals in three-hour rampage
Northern California, resulting in the death of 81 animals, has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty and other charges. Vicente Arroyo, 39, appeared in court Thursday after his arrest by Monterey County Sheriff deputies. The animals, including miniature horses, goats, and chickens, were housed in pens and cages in Prunedale.
Monterey County Sheriff Commander Andres Rosas described the scene as traumatic. «I went out there, and it was a pretty traumatic scene. These were people’s pets,» he said. The animals belonged to an individual who rented the lot and the owner of the property. Arroyo allegedly used several weapons to shoot the animals.
Court records indicate that Arroyo is charged with killing 14 goats, nine chickens, seven ducks, five rabbits, a guinea pig, and 33 parakeets and cockatiels. Additionally, he is charged with killing a pony named Lucky and two miniature horses named Estrella and Princessa, according to KSBW-TV.
Some of the injured animals had to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries. Rosas confirmed the need for euthanasia for those animals that survived the initial attack but were critically injured.
Arroyo resided in a camper situated in a vineyard next to the lot where the animals were kept. The motive for the shooting remains undetermined.
Arroyo's attorney, William Pernik, raised concerns about his client's mental state after speaking with Arroyo and his family. He requested a mental health evaluation from the judge. «We're dealing with an individual who has very serious
