News

Prunedale man sought after impersonating veterinarian in Monterey County

By Sergio Berrueta

January 7, 2025 7:01 PM

Published January 7, 2025 3:38 PM

PRUNEDALE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- SPCA Monterey County is looking for insight into a man impersonating a veterinarian in Monterey County.

According to the non-profit organization, the man has been providing veterinary care without a license including exams, prescribing medications and performing surgeries at his home. One dog has also allegedly died in his care.

Investigators within SPCA believe there may potentially other victim out there. the most recent unlicensed procedure was on Blackie Road in Prunedale with another home on McGowan Drive in Salinas used to perform operations.

On November 4th, SPCA in partnership with Monterey County Deputies and District Attorney Investigators served a search warrant. They found 14 dogs in varying states of neglect.

12 French bulldogs were without food and water, four of which had no access to ventilation or sunlight. Two other dogs, a German Shepard and a Doberman, were also found. Two horses were also seized and returned to their respective owners after.

As the case is currently active and ongoing, those with any information can call SPCA Humane Investigations Officer Emily Leon at 831-264-5436.

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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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