SALVADOR ALEXIS VARGAS, a dairy employee, arrested for unmercifully abusing a defenseless cow

- California, USA -

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old SALVADOR ALEXIS VARGAS (pictured).

On September 21, 2025, Deputies Alberton and Ochoa along with Animal Services Officer Pacheco, responded to a dairy in the 20100 block of Copa De Oro Avenue in Los Banos to investigate allegations of an employee abusing a cow.

According to the press release by the sheriff’s office the employee, identified as VARGAS, “was caught on camera whipping, shocking, and placing a water hose down the cow's throat over fifty times.”

Additionally, VARGAS was “observed hitting the cow several times with a gate while it was in the cattle [chute].”

“The Holstein Cow was moved to a medical barn for observation,” stated the release. I reached out to the sheriff’s office to inquire about the victim’s well-being. Unfortunately, her name has not been disclosed. Merced County Sheriff Vernon H. Warnke tells me that the cow is doing fine and that after being examined by a veterinarian, she was given “a clean bill of health and is expected to be just fine. She has a couple of ‘scuff marks’ and that was documented by my Animal Services and will be used as evidence should this go to trial.”

VARGAS was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on one felony count of animal cruelty. He was released after posting a $20,000 bond.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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