ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona man accused of animal cruelty after 183 frozen animals found in freezer

Apr 14, 2022, 12:36 PM | Updated: 2:54 pm
Michael Patrick Turland (Mohave County Sheriff's Office via AP and Pixabay Photos)...
Michael Patrick Turland (Mohave County Sheriff's Office via AP and Pixabay Photos)
(Mohave County Sheriff's Office via AP and Pixabay Photos)

GOLDEN VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona man faces animal cruelty charges after 183 dead dogs, rabbits, birds and other animals were found in a freezer, including some that were apparently frozen while alive, officials said.

Mohave County deputies and animal control officers found the animals in a garage freezer April 3 after a woman reported that Michael Patrick Turland, 43, hadn’t returned snakes she’d lent him for breeding, the Sheriff’s Office said Thursday in a statement. The freezer was at a home that Turland previously rented in Golden Valley, a rural community in far western Arizona.

The frozen animals included dogs, turtles, lizards, birds, snakes, mice, rats and rabbits, the statement said. “Several of the animals appeared to have been frozen alive due to their body positioning.” The Sheriff’s Office said they were kept in a “large-sized chest freezer.”

The home’s owner reportedly discovered the frozen animals while cleaning after Turland and his wife vacated the property. The owner then contacted the woman who notified the Sheriff’s Office, the statement said.

Turland was arrested at the home Wednesday when deputies were told he had returned to the property, the office said.

“When interviewed, Turland eventually admitted to placing some of the animals in the freezer when they were still alive,” the statement said.

Court records didn’t list an attorney who could comment on behalf of Turland, who was arrested on 94 counts of animal cruelty.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo/Mecum Auctions)...
KTAR.com

Mecum collector car auction comes to Glendale’s State Farm Stadium

A collection-car company is bringing a plethora of vehicles to Glendale's State Farm Stadium all week long. 
22 hours ago
A homeless person sits in the median at an intersection Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Phoenix.  (AP...
SuElen Rivera

Arizona judge orders city of Phoenix to find solution for homeless encampment

An Arizona judge on Monday ordered the city of Phoenix to find a solution for the homeless encampment, otherwise known as "the Zone."
22 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Superior Court of Arizona in Yavapai County)...
Associated Press

Arizona judge has cases reassigned following DUI arrest

The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that all cases currently assigned to a Yavapai County Superior Court judge recently arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI will be reassigned to other judges.
22 hours ago
Kevin Salas-Madrid (Photo courtesy of MCSO)...
KTAR.com

Employee arrested for attempted murder in shooting at west Phoenix business

An employee accused of shooting a man last week at the west Phoenix business where he worked has been arrested.
22 hours ago
(City of Tempe Photo)...
KTAR.com

Tempe Town Lake reopens after brief closure caused by increased debris

Tempe Town Lake reopened Monday to boating activities after a rise in debris caused a brief closure over the weekend, city officials said. 
22 hours ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
KTAR.com

4 Glendale jewelry store robbers sentenced to at least 7 years in prison

Four men were handed sentences of at least seven years in prison for their roles in a failed Glendale jewelry store heist last year.
22 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...
Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.
...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
Arizona man accused of animal cruelty after 183 frozen animals found in freezer