Two Ogden men facing hundreds of charges related to animal hoarding case

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — Two Ogden men are facing hundreds of charges related to animal abuse after nearly 156 dogs and cats were allegedly rescued from a home in April.

Miguel Salgado-Vargas, 73, is facing 637 individual class B misdemeanor charges that include:

• 148 counts of unlicensed animals
• 148 counts of failure to obtain rabies vaccination
• 168 counts of public nuisance
• 168 cruelty to animals, and
• 1 count of kennel/cattery violation

Prosecutors have also filed over 300 class B misdemeanor charges against Ramon Cano Aispuro, 50, including:

• 168 counts of cruelty to animals
• 168 counts of public nuisance

The charges come after over 150 dogs and cats were allegedly removed from an Ogden home in mid-April. According to the Ogden City Police Department, the animals were found living in “extremely poor and overcrowded” conditions.

“We are grateful for the swift coordination between our local and regional partners that ensured every animal was removed safely and given the care it needed,” said Jake Sube, Ogden Police chief. “This case is a reminder of the importance of community reporting and regional cooperation.”

Over the course of the next week, Ogden Animal Control, Weber County Animal Control, Roy Animal Control and an officer from Draper Animal Control safely removed the animals from the home. In total, as of May 8, Ogden Police said 157 dogs and 11 cats were rescued from the unsanitary conditions.

“Thanks to a collaborative regional response, most of the animals have since been transferred to shelters and rescue organizations across Utah and as far as Blackfoot, Idaho, including placements with Salt Lake County Animal Services, Davis County Animal Services, and the Humane Scoeity of Utah,” Ogden Police said in an update. “As of today, only 13 dogs remain at the Weber County Animal Shelter and are available for rescue. No animals required euthanasia.”

The Ogden Police Department said the animal owners cooperated with authorities during the recovery process and signed the necessary paperwork authorizing the rescue and removal of the animals.

Ogden Police said the records show the two were involved in a similar incident in 2012 and they recognize the emotional and mental health challenges that may contribute to animal hoarding behaviors. The City said it was committed to ensuring accountability while acknowledging compassion and access to support services.

According to court documents, Salgado-Vargas and Aispuro have been summoned for a court hearing in July.