March 20, 2026 – Mariposa County Sheriff's Office officials report that in September 2025, MCSO Animal Control received a report from a concerned citizen of "many, many" dogs locked inside of a residence and living in unsanitary conditions.

Over the course of several months, ACO personnel made multiple visits to the residence in an attempt to investigate the allegations and offer services and assistance.

The resident remained reluctant to accept the assistance or cooperate with the investigation in any meaningful way. ACO personnel persisted in attempting to intervene with phone calls, emails and in person visits. In mid-March 2026, ACO personnel recognized that all passive efforts to investigate and intervene had been exhausted and found it prudent to author a search warrant for the premises.

On March 17, 2026, MCSO personnel executed a search warrant on Hwy 140, in Catheys Valley. MCSO personnel found a total of 36 canines and one feline confined within the residence living in extremely unsanitary and unacceptable conditions. All animals were seized and immediately provided with veterinary care.

Elizabeth Lopez-Calderon was arrested for charges of PC 647(F) (drunk in public), PC 148 (A)(1) (obstructing, delaying, or resisting a peace officer), PC 597(B) (animal abuse/neglect), PC 597.1(A)(1) (failure to care for animals/neglect).

Source & photo: Mariposa County Sheriff's Office