Puppies Were Discovered in a Freezer During a Search of a Property in Nye County

Author: Nevada Globe Staff

NEVADA – An investigator found dozens of puppies in a freezer at a Nye County dog breeder’s property.

Vasili Platunov and Oskana Higgins will face 33 animal cruelty accusations.

Two were arrested last week and appeared in court Monday. During an inquiry into animal abuse, Nye County sheriff’s deputies seized 300 dogs.

Officials found emaciated, poor-condition animals.

Est-Alfa kennel is one of the country’s few Caucasian shepherd dog breeders. Platunov kept dogs in Pahrump before a court issue drove him to Amargosa Valley, where deputies searched last week.

More than two dozen canines were rescued from Est-Alfa in late April. Several of those dogs were malnourished, weighing 55 to 60 pounds for a breed that weighs 150 to 200 pounds.

Credit: KTNV