The Grand Junction Police Department made two arrests last week in connection with a 2023 animal cruelty case in which 10 dogs died.
On Monday, Dec. 22, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to a property south of the 2500 block of Riverside Parkway to locate a person wanted on a warrant related to cruelty to animals.
Daren Harris, 49, was arrested on several warrants, including a felony warrant for failure to appear on charges of aggravated cruelty to an animal and a failure to appear misdemeanor warrant for cruelty to an animal for neglect and mistreatment, according to the Grand Junction Police Department.
Shaylene Wood, 49, was arrested for several warrants, including a failure to comply misdemeanor warrant for non-aggravated cruelty to an animal, failure to comply warrant for controlled substances, and a failure to appear for trespass.
The animal cruelty incident dates back to late June 2023 in which Mesa County Sheriff's Deputies assisted Mesa County Animal Control in responding to a property on E View Drive in Mesa County. They were checking on the wellness of several dogs in a van and trailer that were believed to be in distress because of neglect and hot temperatures, according to the Wood case report with Mesa County Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Brandon Worley reported seeing dead puppies on top of trash bags when he arrived on scene, according to the case report. A total of 10 dead puppies -- aging from six weeks to a year and a half were discovered -- as well as 21 live dogs. Most were poodle mixes, according to the report.
Wood told Mesa County Animal Control that the dogs had contracted parvovirus from another dog and that she was unable to afford veterinary care for the animals. Parvovirus is highly contagious and often lethal to unvaccinated dogs, according to the report.
The report also states there were general unsanitary conditions, including feces in the area.
Wood pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals charges and was sentenced on March 31. She served 92 days in jail and got four years of probation, according to District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. Harris pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2024, to five felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and five misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. Harris has failed to appear for sentencing, including a Nov. 5 sentencing hearing. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, which was served last week.
Charlotte Paxton, 53, and Jereme Lyons, 38, were found at the property when Wood and Harris were arrested and booked on separate warrants.