Man Sentenced After 34 Animals Rescued From Flooded Home In San Diego Area

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man was sentenced after nearly three dozen animals were rescued from his flooded San Diego area home, authorities announced Monday.

Gary Marks was banned from owning an animal for 10 years following a 2024 animal cruelty case involving the rescue of 34 animals, according to San Diego Humane Society.

The case began on Aug. 27, 2024, when the San Diego Police Department alerted humane officers to a home on the 3700 block of Shooting Star Drive in San Ysidro, where multiple animals were in distress due to a plumbing issue, according to San Diego Humane Society. Over the course of several hours, officers rescued 30 dogs, one cat and two chickens from unsafe conditions in the home. Another dog was taken into care when Marks was arrested days later.

According to San Diego Humane Society, several animals required emergency veterinary care. Eight dogs were in such poor condition that they had to be humanely euthanized. The others, including a senior dog named Lucy, were extensively treated and then adopted.

After San Diego Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement successfully brought animal cruelty charges against him, Marks was banned from owning an animal for 10 years. His sentencing includes a Fourth Amendment waiver allowing law enforcement to search his home without a warrant and mandated mental health treatment.

"This case is heartbreaking — and no animal should ever endure such living conditions," said San Diego Humane Society Chief of Humane Law Enforcement Jace Huggins. "Neglect has consequences, and we are committed to ensuring every animal in our community is safe, cared for and given the chance to live a healthy life."