Orange County

Orange County Woman Gets 4 Months for Selling Sick Puppies

A California woman has been sentenced to four months in jail for selling puppies with viruses and parasites through a fake rescue organization.

Megan Ann Hoechstetter was sentenced Friday in Orange County. She pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor animal abuse charges.

Prosecutors say the 43-year-old set up a fake animal rescue organization and sold dogs that she knew had viral and parasitic infections.

They say families paid about $450 for the dogs and were never told they were ill.

Authorities say about 30 dogs died or had to be euthanized soon after their adoptions because of the illnesses.

Prosecutors allege that between 2014 and 2017, Hoechstetter abused and failed to care for over 100 puppies.

In addition to jail time, Hoechstetter was also sentenced to three years' informal probation.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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