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Man arrested after pigs, tortoises, snake and turtles found in Tucson home amid animal cruelty probe: PCSD

By
Updated  October 22, 2024 5:22pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 10 Phoenix

The Brief

    • A man was arrested in connection with an animal cruelty investigation in Tucson.
    • Sheriffs in Pima County say "a variety of animals" were removed from the man's home after authorities served a search warrant.
    • When questioned, the suspect said he was "experiencing a mental health crisis," and subsequently moved to the hospital.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Sheriff's officials in southern Arizona say they have arrested a man in connection with an animal cruelty investigation.

Per a statement, detectives with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, executed an animal cruelty search warrant at a home in the area of Picture Rocks and Guthrie Roads in Tucson.

"Authorities have humanely removed a variety of animals from a residence, including ten Kunekune pigs, three dogs, a gopher snake, a desert tortoise, six sulcata tortoises, two red-eared slider turtles, and one deceased Sonoran toad."

Investigators say the suspect, identified as 51-year-old Christopher Pfeil, was on probation for animal cruelty. When investigators questioned him, Pfeil "indicated that he was experiencing a mental health crisis and was subsequently transported to a local hospital for further evaluation."

"Felony and misdemeanor charges related to the case are expected to be presented to the Pima County Attorney's Office for review," read a portion of PCSD's statement. "This investigation is ongoing."

The Source

  • Information for this article was gathered from a news release issued by the Pima County Sheriff's Department.