Location: Avenue 128 Dairy

Incident Date: 03/11/2017

Case Number: 17-02564

City: Pixley

Posted by: Dispatch

*****************************UPDATE***********************************

Suspect: Jose Lugo 8-22-82 in custody

On 3-11-17, Detectives with the Ag Crimes Investigations Unit continued their investigation regarding the above listed offense. Detectives were able to locate an additional residence for Lugo and upon responding to the location, were able to identify him and effectively take him into custody with no incident. This case will subsequently be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective R. Gunderman or Sgt. Chad Rhyman with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Investigations Unit at (559) 735-1898. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously, by accessing the TipNow page at tcso@tipnow.com or calling or texting (559) 725-4194.   

****************************Original Press Release************************* 

Suspect Jose Lugo Age, 34 years 

On 3-2-17, Ag Crimes Detectives were contacted by the owner of the Avenue 128 Dairy and advised they located evidence of animal cruelty at the hands of a former employee. The reporting party advised on January 8, 2017, an employee who had since been terminated was observed violating a signed humane treatment contract by utilizing unnecessary methods of restraint. 

Detectives were contacted by the Avenue 128 Dairy and through a working partnership to combat and deter any acts of animal cruelty, an investigation was launched. The above named subject has been positively identified and Detectives are actively pursuing leads in this active investigation. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective R. Gunderman or Sgt. Chad Rhyman with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Investigations Unit at (559) 735-1898. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously, by accessing the TipNow page at tcso@tipnow.com and (559) 725-4194.