Utah County deputies seize 83 dogs in suspected animal cruelty case

SPANISH FORK, Utah — Utah County Sheriff’s investigators said they planned to recommend dozens of animal cruelty charges after discovering numerous dogs in filthy conditions in 3 different locations.

83 dogs were seized last week when deputies executed a search warrant for the properties on River Bottom Rd just outside of Spanish Fork as well as additional properties in Orem and Provo, Sgt. Spencer Cannon announced at a news conference Friday afternoon.

“It was particularly disturbing,” Cannon said as he related details of the case.

Cannon said the investigation began on Mar. 31 when an animal control deputy received an anonymous tip about dogs that were potentially being mistreated at the location on River Bottom Rd.

Upon contacting the owner, Cannon said the deputy found two small, “listless” puppies within a kennel inside the house that appeared to be laying in or sitting in feces.

Investigators said the woman, subsequently identified as 38-year-old Staci Milligan Baker, said she ran a breeding operation and was selling the dogs.

She also told investigators the small dogs had been seen by a veterinarian in Provo and were receiving treatment, which Cannon said proved to be false.

The investigating deputy received further information that there was a shed on the property with dogs inside kennels. When he took a closer look, Cannon said the deputy could see multiple dogs that appeared to be malnourished in kennels outside the shed and he could smell the odor of feces coming from the shed.

The deputy also learned Baker and her husband owned properties in Orem and Provo where they were keeping additional dogs, but discovered there weren’t proper business licenses and kennel permits.

He attempted to contact Baker multiple times without success and even wrote up a “notice of action” to have the puppies inside the home properly checked out by a veterinarian.

Ultimately, Cannon said because of the conditions the deputy witnessed, he obtained a search warrant and executed it simultaneously on April 14.

Officers from multiple agencies seized 83 dogs from the 3 locations, including 55 from the property and shed on River Bottom Rd.

“The conditions they found were deplorable—it was sickening,” Cannon said.

Cannon said in many of the kennels the feces had either backed up, piled up or simply turned to muddy urine mix.

“(The officers) described going in there and dry-heaving and retching in the effort to be inside there in getting these dogs out,” Cannon said.

The dogs were taken to North and South Utah Valley Animal shelters to be cleaned, vaccinated and treated for possible Giardia.

“It almost doubled how many dogs we have at the shelter right now,” said South Utah Valley Animal Shelter director Kierstan Munford.

Munford and other officials said the hope was to adopt out the dogs.

Cannon said Baker was not arrested but deputies were likely to recommend dozens of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and possibly felony charges as well for prosecutors to screen.

Baker’s husband, 48-year-old Matthew Ambrose Baker, was arrested on April 13 on an outstanding federal warrant as deputies watched the Orem property, according to investigators.

Cannon said the investigation remained active.