Owner of Compton animal rescue gets probation in cruelty case

A man who owned a non-profit animal rescue in Compton was sentenced Wednesday to 26 weeks of animal cruelty classes and ordered not to own or possess any animals during his two-year probationary period.

Damian Wesley, 31, could face up to four years in county jail if he violates the terms of probation stemming from his July 10 guilty plea to four counts of animal cruelty, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

A restitution hearing is set for Aug. 28, according to the District Attorney's Office.

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Search warrants were served Jan. 3 by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at two locations in Compton that were linked to Wesley and Compton Animal Rescue, according to a statement released by prosecutors in April.

About 145 live animals -- the vast majority of whom were found to be severely underweight and suffering from various illnesses -- and 12 animal carcasses were found during the searches, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Wesley allegedly saw the conditions of 25 animals described as distressed and had time to respond, but failed to act, according to prosecutors.

More than 100 of the confiscated animals had been cleared for adoption in mid-February after undergoing medical evaluation and treatment.

Seventy-three of the animals -- mainly dogs -- were subsequently adopted, with seven cats, three rabbits, three pigs, two corn snakes, one horse, one tortoise, one turtle and one hamster also being adopted by April, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. Thirty-three other animals were rescued, and seven dogs were returned to their owners, officials said in April.

"DACC obtained the warrants based on multiple complaints of neglect and mistreatment from members of the community about this organization," DACC spokesman Don Belton said in a statement released in February. "After investigating, warrants were issued due to the animal rescue organization's noncompliance with state and county animal care laws."

Wesley was initially charged with 25 counts of animal cruelty, but the remaining 21 counts were dismissed due to the plea agreement, court records show.

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