San Diego man held after police find pot, puppies, baby in home

SAN DIEGO -- A 32-year-old man has been arrested after police found dozens of marijuana plants, 13 puppies and a three-month-old baby in his home.

Christopher Palmer was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana, child cruelty and theft of utility services.

Firefighters had gone to Palmer’s home in the City Heights neighborhood about midnight Monday after a fire was reported.

Inside the home, they found 60 to 70 marijuana plants, 13 dogs and the baby, officials said.

The plants were seized as possible evidence, the dogs were taken to the Department of Animal Services, and the baby was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital for examination, officials said. A woman in the house with Palmer was not arrested.

The dogs included Rottweilers, Yorkshire terriers, Doberman pinschers and poodles. They will remain with the Department of Animal Services until their owners can be found.

Palmer told police that he acts as a broker between dog breeders and would-be owners.

ALSO:

Ex-Guatemalan soldier convicted of lying on U.S. citizenship form

Two men charged in killing of 8-year-old Oakland girl at sleepover

Government shutdown halts NTSB probe into Santa Monica jet crash

Twitter: @LATsandiego

tony.perry@latimes.com