Authorities discovered dead dogs, turtles, lizards, birds, snakes, mice, rats, and rabbits in the freezer of a person undergoing investigation. The man responsible was arrested after a total of 183 dead animals were found in his freezer, with some even frozen alive.
According to a press statement issued by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, an Arizona man was arrested and booked with 94 charges of animal cruelty after officials discovered 183 creatures in his freezer, including dogs, turtles, and rabbits. Michael Patrick Turland, 43, is accused of freezing several of the animals alive, reports CBS News.
The arrest arrives almost two weeks after officers were dispatched to a Golden Valley residence for an animal welfare check, according to the sheriff’s office. Turland had promised to breed her snakes before vanishing for months, according to the caller, who identified herself only as a woman. The woman claimed that the new property owner had contacted her after discovering a refrigerator filled with dead animals in the garage.
The sheriff’s office reported that when officers opened the freezer, they discovered dead dogs, turtles, lizards, birds, snakes, mice, rats, and rabbits, with “several of the animals appeared to have been frozen alive due to their body positioning.”
Turland was initially unable to be located, but authorities discovered him at the apartment on April 13 and hauled him into jail without incident. Turland “eventually admitted to placing some of the animals in the freezer when they were still alive.” while being interrogated, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office did not give a reason for the alleged activities, but stated the investigation is still underway.
Turland is now being held at the Mohave County Adult Detention Center in Kingman. Authorities are looking for his wife, Brooklyn Beck, who has been listed as a suspect.
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WTH?!?!