77 dogs recovered from RV in Mesquite, police say

Authorities in Mesquite on Friday recovered 77 dogs from an RV, police announced Monday.

The Mesquite Police Department said the RV owner, Giustino Laudando, was cited for animal welfare and city code compliance violations on Friday. Online court records show he faces one misdemeanor count related to animal cruelty.

Police said they had received multiple complaints over the past several months regarding a home with “an excessive number of dogs.” Laudando, the owner of the dogs, had previously been arrested twice on warrants for violating and failing to comply with Mesquite animal ordinances, police said.

Laudando had indicated he would leave Nevada with his animals when he was evicted earlier this year, according to police, but he remained near Mesquite on Bureau of Land Management property outside city limits.

Police said Laudando returned to Mesquite on Friday and was issued citations for animal welfare and city code compliance violations while officers and animal control personnel recovered 77 dogs from his RV.

“Due to the conditions in which the animals were found, many require extensive medical attention,” police said. “Several of the dogs were determined to be pregnant, and as of this morning, one dog has given birth to four puppies, bringing the total number of animals in care to 81.”

Police said the Mesquite Animal Shelter is straining its physical and financial resources to provide medical treatment, nutrition and safe housing for all of the recovered dogs.

“As the shelter continues providing critical care for these animals, community donations would be sincerely appreciated,” police said.