PEUNEDALE, CA- In a shocking incident in Prunedale, California, Vicente Joseph Arroyo, aged 39, allegedly murdered 81 animals and severely injured several others during a disturbing spree that lasted approximately three hours.
Arroyo, who resided on the property but didn’t work there, reportedly used an illegal assault weapon, alongside several rifles, shotguns, and handguns to kill a variety of animals, including mini-horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, and other bird species.
The horrifying incident is reported to have occurred on Tuesday morning at Lemus Farm on Avery Lane, with Monterey County Police stating that five parakeets were so badly injured during the carnage that they had to be euthanized.
Authorities are yet to establish a motive for the brutal attack, suggesting that it might have been an arbitrary act. Cmdr. Andres Rosas, the spokesperson for Monterey County sheriff, expressed his shock, stating the incident is the worst he has seen in his 24 years of law enforcement experience.
Arroyo is presently facing charges of animal cruelty and illegal possession of an assault weapon. Despite initially setting Arroyo’s bail at $50,000, an appeal has been made to raise it to $1 million due to the severity of the alleged atrocities committed.