Hollister animal abuse suspects posted bail in first court appearance, DA’s office confirms

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV)- The owners of a Hollister animal rescue did not enter a plea in their first court appearance since getting arrested on animal cruelty charges on March 8.

San Benito County District Attorney Joel Buckingham confirmed to KION that Richard Lopez and Susie Alarcon were able to post bail and are not in custody

Buckingham said defense attorneys requested and were granted postponement on the arraignment.

The defense attorneys wanted to go through the police reports and videos of evidence to put their case together, per Buckingham.

As part of the bail condition, the judge ordered Lopez and Alarcon to not possess any animals.

On March 8, Hollister Police Animal Care and Services served a search warrant at their home on the 700 block of El Toro Drive and found an estimated 200 cats and dogs from their home.

Officers said that the animals were living in their own feces without any food or water. Investigators said there were 31 dead cats discovered at the home.

Lopez and Alarcon owned San Benito County Pet-A-Palooza Rescue Inc.,

Buckingham said that Lopez and Alarcon will next be in court on June 6.