Though the trial for a San Carlos man found with six pit bulls in unliveable conditions in his home last summer was set to start this week, he changed his mind at the last minute and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor animal abuse, possession of methamphetamine and violation of a court order Wednesday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Javier Larson, 38, previously pleaded not guilty to his charges and will face up to two years in jail when he next appears in court for sentencing Oct. 2. Having posted $10,000 bail bond, he remains out of custody, according to prosecutors.
When officers entered Larson’s empty Brittan Avenue home Aug. 13, a female pit bull was found in a closed bathroom with 3 inches of feces and urine covering the floor. Four, aggressive male pit bulls that had not been properly cared for or cleaned were also found in his home, which contained no sanitary food or water for the pets, according to prosecutors.
Close to two weeks later, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a call and found Larson at his home, which had been red-tagged after officers’ earlier investigation. Previously on probation for possessing a pit bull that bit an elderly man last year, Larson told officers he had until midnight to visit his home but they said he was not supposed to be there, according to prosecutors.
While they were talking, officers heard a dog barking and asked Larson if the barking was coming from his property. He said the barking was coming from a neighbor’s dog, but when officers checked his backyard, they found another pit bull abandoned in a kennel without food and with a serious skin irritation around its neck, according to prosecutors.
The sixth dog was not found when officers previously searched Larson’s property. A Taser, which Larson was prohibited from possessing due to a previous misdemeanor conviction, was also found in his car, according to prosecutors.
All six animals were taken into the custody of the Peninsula Humane Society but have not been available for adoption as Larson’s court case was adjudicated. Now that he has pleaded to some of his charges, they may be released to homes deemed suitable for them, according to prosecutors.
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