Porterville man arrested after dog found dead in car

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The finding of a deceased dog in advanced decomposition inside a vehicle led to the arrest of a man on Wednesday in Porterville, the Porterville Police Department said.

Officers responded to a home in the 1000 block of West Cleveland Avenue on Monday in regard to a deceased dog found inside a vehicle. Upon arrival, police say they found the deceased dog in advanced decomposition.

Police identified the owner of the dog as Xavier Vallin, 39, of Porterville. According to investigators, Vallin had been evicted from his previous home, located in the area where the dog was found, just three weeks prior to the incident. When he left, police say that was the last time any family member saw the dog.

Although police reported they were initially unable to contact Vallin during the initial investigation, they ended up locating him at a home in the 200 block of North Argyle Street in Porterville.

According to the police department, Vallin was arrested under suspicion of animal cruelty and was booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility.