Two arrested in Sutter County animal abuse case; 63 animals seized

Authorities in Sutter County have arrested two Pleasant Grove residents suspected of animal cruelty and seized 63 neglected animals, including 39 dogs and 13 horses kept on their property, sheriff's officials said.

Lynette Kim Countryman Dunivan, 50, and Chad Damon Dunivan, 51, were arrested on felony charges, including animal abuse, the Sutter County Sheriff's Office announced in a news release.

Investigators on Tuesday served a search warrant on the suspects' property in the 3400 block of Sankey Road, between Pleasant Grove and Natomas

roads.

Deputies, along with officials from the Sutter Animal Services Authority and Sutter County Code Enforcement, seized the animals, which also included seven cats and four exotic birds.

Sheriff's officials said authorities took custody of the animals because the animals lacked proper shelter, nourishment and veterinary care.

The Sheriff's Office and the Animal Services Authority worked together to obtain a search warrant after attempts were made to take care of the problem at the Pleasant Grove property, sheriff's officials said. The suspects were arrested Tuesday after the search warrant was served.

Sheriff's officials said the investigation continues, and there could be more criminal charges coming.

Candace Taylor of Rio Linda said she was among more than 20 protesters who gathered for a demonstration Saturday in Pleasant Grove to draw public attention to the “horrific” conditions at the home of Lynette Countryman Dunivan and her husband.

Organizers of Saturday's protest said in a news release that Countryman Dunivan has a long history of committing animal abuse and had moved to Sutter County to operate as a horse and puppy mill breeder, where the animals were starving and in serious danger.

“The situation was becoming dire,” Taylor said. “Sometimes you have to do something to get the attention of the Sheriff's Office, animal services and the District Attorney's Office.”

In April 2014, authorities cited Countryman Dunivan after two horses died on her Rio Linda property north of Sacramento.

She was issued a citation that ordered veterinary care for seven horses with wounds and some lameness.

At the time of the Rio Linda citation, she had been working with animal control to reduce the number of horses from 40 to 20 on the property in the 1600 block of E Street. She also was cited for having too many dogs.

Taylor lives down the street from where the two horses were found dead in 2014.

“I saw the whole thing go down,” Taylor said. “It was horrible.”