PAHRUMP, Nev. (KTNV) — An investigator says dozens of puppies were found in a freezer during a search of properties associated with a Nye County dog breeder.
Vasili Platunov and Oskana Higgins, who operated Est-Alfa kennel, will face 33 felony animal cruelty charges.
Just interviewed a Captain from the Nye County Sheriff’s Office who says Oskana Higgins & Vasili Platunov will face 33 felony animal cruelty charges, he said the investigation at the properties is done, they found dozens of frozen puppies in a freezer. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/AkWbfbP0v2
— Joe Moeller (@joemoeller44) August 29, 2022
The two appeared in court on Monday morning following their arrest last week. At the time, Nye County sheriff's deputies announced approximately 300 dogs were seized during an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty.
A search found the animals malnourished and in poor condition, officials said.
As 13 Investigates previously reported, Est-Alfa kennel is one of the only Caucasian shepherd dog breeding operations in the country. Platunov kept dogs at a property in Pahrump before a legal dispute led him to move most of them to another property in Amargosa Valley, where deputies searched last week.
The 300 dogs seized as a result of that search came after more than two dozen dogs were rescued from Est-Alfa in late April. Several of those dogs were said to be malnourished, weighing an estimated 55 to 60 pounds for a breed that normally weighs between 150 and 200 pounds.
INVESTIGATION: Malnourished dogs rescued from Nye County breeder
Animal Control was called to Platunov's properties at least a dozen times since 2019, Nye County calls for service records obtained by 13 Investigates showed. A source with direct knowledge of the situation told KTNV Platunov was cited for cruelty and for care and conditions at his kennels in recent months.
Monday, a judge issued an emergency motion to permit the Nye County Sheriff’s Office to move the remaining dogs to the Nye County Animal Shelter.
The sheriff’s office was also approved to move the cages off the properties in Amargosa Valley to the animal shelter to accommodate the dogs in a lot behind the shelter.
The county and the attorney representing Vasili Platunov have one month to produce a permanent solution for the dogs.
A status hearing is set for September 19th.”
