Maricopa County Animal Crimes detectives have arrested 32-year old Skyler Kelton of Surprise and charged him with 16 counts of Animal Cruelty over the improper care of eight dogs; seven puppies, and one female adult.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Kelton at his home at 16918 W. Barwick Dr. in Surprise. Detectives seized the eight animals after it was determined that they had been neglected and were in dire need of food and water along with medical attention. The dogs were underweight and dehydrated and veterinarians stated the animals would have died if the neighbors and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office had not intervened.
The dogs, after being medically cleared, were brought to Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio’s jail for abused and neglected animals and will be cared for by Sheriff’s inmates.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Animal Crimes detectives started the investigation a couple months ago after receiving a tip of the neglect through Sheriff Arpaio’s Animal Cruelty Hotline.
Detectives immediately visited Kelton’s property and discovered the dogs were underweight and attempted to work with Kelton to correct the issue. After more than a couple months, the issue was not addressed and the dogs were seized.