Palo Alto Animal Shelter Employees Cited In Deaths Of 7 Puppies

PALO ALTO, CA — Three employees of a Palo Alto animal shelter were cited in the deaths of seven puppies over the summer, the Palo Alto Police Department announced Tuesday.

The employees who worked at Pets In Need Palo Alto Animal Shelter — Patricia Santana Valencia, 40, of East Palo Alto, Margaret C. Evans, 36, of Fremont and Ingrid Anne Hartmann, 45 of San Carlos — were cited and released on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and neglect.

The three employees were transporting the puppies as part of a batch of 27 dogs from the Central Valley back to Palo Alto in a Pets In Need van on Aug. 3, when the temperature was around 90 to 100 degrees. According to police, the van did not have air conditioning and the employees were accused of not providing water to the animals during transport.

None of the animals seemed distressed on a gas stop in Los Banos, but after arriving in Palo Alto, seven puppies were found unresponsive. Veterinary staff were unable to resuscitate the puppies.

The employees, who work for Pets In Need and not the city of Palo Alto, were cited and released, per standard protocol for non-violent misdemeanor warrants.

Pets In Need has operated the Palo Alto Animal Shelter since 2019.