Who is Colton Jones? Humane Society of Arizona fears man may have killed 200 missing small animals for reptile feed
TUCSON, ARIZONA: The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) and San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) have accused Colton Jones, the owner of The Fertile Turtle, a reptile breeding company in Maricopa County, Arizona, of potentially subjecting 200 small pets that went missing to freezing conditions or utilizing them as food for reptiles. He also sells live and frozen animals for reptile feed.
The HSSA and SDHS disclosed the recent development concerning the relocation of 318 small pets, including rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits, from SDHS to HSSA on August 7, out of which only sixty-two were returned to the HSSA.
Colton Jones' text message indicates tragic fate of missing animals
SDHS sought HSSA's help on July 23 for transferring small animals for adoption support. Based on the information given on the HSSA website, the animals reached Tucson on August 7. The organization says it had no certainty regarding the animals' status after delivery.
"The individuals who received the small animals have maintained that 254 of them were placed with families, but they have not provided sufficient or satisfactory proof that would resolve the concerns of HSSA and our community. Other than pictures that could not be verified, the receiving individuals have provided no documentation or records of adoptions," says the website.
According to 13 News, on August 8, a day after receiving the animals from HSSA, Jones sent a text message to someone enquiring about the ability to freeze the animals.
The message read, "Do you have the ability to freeze off a bunch of guinea pigs and or rabbits? I don't have the manpower or labor to be able to do it in time for the show and it's too much for me."
HSSA reached the tragic conclusion on the fate of the animals with this text message.
Board chair Robert Garcia said he had handed over the text message to the investigators.
HSSA concludes the investigation
"HSSA's internal investigation has concluded, and its report will be published in early December. SDHS's investigation is ongoing. These investigations and corresponding recommendations are critical to ensure this tragedy never happens again and that those who are responsible are held accountable," says the SDHS website.
Jones denied the allegations when the HSSA contacted him.
HSSA is considering legal action against Jones and all of its employees involved. The Tucson Police Department has also opened a case, and the TPD's Financial Crimes Unit conducts the preliminary investigation.
The controversy led to CEO Steve Farley's termination and CPO Christian Gonzalez's resignation from HSSA.