NEWMAN—A Stanislaus County jury has convicted Darrell Coleman, 57, on 17 counts related to the mistreatment of dogs under his care, District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced. Coleman, who was found guilty of animal cruelty charges, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31.

On July 27, 2022, the Newman Police Department got a report of suspected animal neglect at a home in the 600 block of Fig Lane. At the residence, officers found the bed of a truck and an attached trailer stacked high with dogs in kennels. The truck and the trailer were both parked in the sun and the dogs were all showing signs of being overheated, according to the police department. 

“The dogs were found to be panting, without water, and the majority without food,” the police department stated in a social media post. “They were found to be covered in feces and some in poor physical condition, including missing fur and skin and appearing to be malnourished.”

The truck and trailer had been in the same location for at least two days before officers arrived. Upon investigation, animal control officers discovered 15 dogs stacked in cages in the truck bed and on the trailer in 97-degree heat, without adequate food or water. The dogs were lying in their own waste. Two additional dogs were found in the overheated truck cabin, including one suffering from severe wounds.

During the trial, evidence was presented linking Coleman to an alleged puppy mill operation, a for-profit breeding practice that often prioritizes profits over the welfare of animals. Such operations typically house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with minimal veterinary care.

Newman Animal Control rescued all the dogs, providing them with shelter and medical attention. The Newman Police Department investigated the case, leading to Coleman’s arrest, and Animal Cruelty Prosecutor Tracy Griffin handled the case on behalf of the People.