Owner Of Sham OC Puppy Rescue Pleads Guilty To Animal Abuse

SANTA ANA, CA — A woman who illegally sold sick puppies to unsuspecting pet owners through a sham rescue organization will likely spend 120 days.

Megan Ann Hoechstetter, 43, pleaded guilty to animal abuse and four misdemeanor counts of keeping an animal without proper care. Dozens of her puppies died or had to be put to sleep.

The Cypress resident is scheduled to be sentenced June 15, is expected to receive 120 days in jail, Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Malone said.

Sentencing was put off so authorities could determine how much restitution the defendant will pay and for victims to make a statement about the resolution of the case to a judge. Investigators estimate about 70 victims have put in claims for restitution, Malone said.

Hoechstetter pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts of keeping an animal without proper care and two misdemeanor counts of animal abuse by a caretaker.

The defendant will be prohibited from practicing veterinary medicine going forward, buying or selling dogs or running or participating in any animal rescue group. She won't be allowed to get any more pets or participate in animal adoptions, according to the plea agreement.

Hoechstetter established a fake rescue organization online to sell dogs she may have gotten from Mexico who did not receive proper care, Malone said. One of the business names she operated under was Pawlosophy.

Hoechstetter is accused of "puppy flipping" over the past few years, said Malone, who added that she was getting the puppies in Tijuana.

Adoptive families were paying about $450 for the puppies, but some ended up paying up to $7,500 in veterinary bills trying to save the dogs, Malone said.

City News and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of the Irvine Police Department