California man kills 80 animals in three-hour shooting spree
- Vicente Joseph Arroyo, 39, from Salinas, is accused of killing over 80 farm animals in a shooting spree lasting three hours.
- The animals that survived the attack were taken by the SPCA but had to be euthanized due to severe injuries.
- Arroyo is facing multiple charges, including animal cruelty, and his bail has been petitioned to be raised to $1 million.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a tragic incident unfolded in Prunedale, California, where a man named Vicente Joseph Arroyo allegedly killed over 80 farm animals, including miniature horses, goats, and various birds, during a three-hour shooting spree. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office reported that Arroyo was apprehended in a vineyard after police responded to gunfire in the area. He was found near a crashed vehicle in a dark, overgrown location. Arroyo, 39, was a resident of the property where the animals lived but was not employed there. Upon investigation, authorities discovered multiple firearms and approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition on his property. The severity of the attack led to the euthanization of the surviving animals, as they were found to be severely injured. The incident has drawn significant attention, with local law enforcement expressing shock at the brutality of the act. Cmdr. Andres Rosas, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, stated that he had never witnessed such a horrific event in his 24 years of service. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) described the situation as heartbreaking, emphasizing the emotional toll on animal lovers in the community. Arroyo is currently being held in Monterey County Jail on multiple charges, including animal cruelty and illegal possession of an assault weapon. Initially, his bail was set at $50,000, but investigators have since requested an increase to $1 million, reflecting the severity of the crimes committed.