Large Colorado Seizure update

[jodycat]

Wasn't sure under what category to post this. Hope I did it right.

For those who have been following the Animal Angels Rescue horror in Colorado (there was much going on on the internet), below are some news stories as well as a web page done by Margaret at Colorado TB Rescue. Margaret was the one who spearheaded this and got it handled - though there are still around 40 animals who need to be removed - and hopefully will be removed quickly. Margaret says many more witnesses are coming forward. Colorado Horse Rescue also helped.

Margaret's webpage on this:

www.coloradotbrescue.org/AA.html

Two news stories:
Humane Society: "Largest Case We've Seen"

www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071230/NEWS01/712300348/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

County Seizes 27 Animals:

www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=14047

This is such a classic and tragic case of animal hoarding.

Maybe FHOTD material?

Mary

[trillium]

I could not do much except signing my name to the petition. I think I was number 83. It was great to see them get so many signatures and to have animal control do something about the way the animals were being treated.

[jodycat]

Nice followup story (photos too). Margaret (of Colorado TB Rescue) wrote that many of the deputy sheriffs were horse people and were very moved by the plight of the horses and other animals. Looks like they are becoming involved. Pray that the rest of those animals will be removed, too, and soon.


www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/31/mistreated-horses-on-the-rebound-after-larimer/

Mistreated horses on the rebound after Larimer County confiscation

Rescue operation's leader likely to face cruelty charges
By Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

[jodycat]

PS: Cheyenne, one of the worst off horses and first to be rescued last week (and is at Colorado Horse Rescue) is reported to have already gained 50 pounds!

A new story:

cbs4denver.com/local/Animal.Angels.Horse.2.622204.html


Vets Work To Nurse Seized Animals Back To Health
Visit The Pets/Animals Section
Reporting
Mike Hooker FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) ¯ Dozens of animals seized from a Fort Collins rescue organization are now being cared for by sheriff's deputies and vets, while the woman running the rescue organization fights to get the animals back.

Deputies seized the horses from Animal Angels Horse Rescue over the weekend, but have yet to file any charges in the case. Now, getting the animals back in good health is top priority.

Veterinarians and vet students have been working with sheriff's investigators. The investigators have been documenting what they say is evidence of animal neglect, while the vets check the progress of nursing the livestock back to health.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said since the horses were seized, they've hardly lifted their heads from eating and drinking.

Lead veterinarian, Bruce Connally with Colorado State University, said among the horses, llamas and other livestock, the biggest problem is that they're malnourished.

"We didn't find medical reasons for them to be thin in most cases," Connally said.

The founder of the Animal Angels Horse Rescue, Alesha Matchett, said many of the thin horses are recovering from a parasite and others were rescued even thinner then they are now.

"When the horses started losing weight, I got help immediately and had lots of my volunteers to help administer parasite control," Matchett said. "At no time were those animals uncared for."

Alderden said he disagrees.

"I don't know if she's in a sense of denial, or if she has a complete lack of understanding about taking care of horses," he said.

Alderden said there's already a lot of interest from people who want to adopt the animals, or provide money for food.

"Our desire is that these horses go to a good home where they're going to get some love and attention, feed and water," he said.

Matchett said she's the best caretaker, but it's going to cost her.

"The amount of money that it's going to cost to get them back is probably going to completely put us out of business," she said.

Matchett has not yet been formally charged with any crime.

Although there are now 27 animals in the custody of the sheriff's department, there are still more than 40 animals out at the rescue which investigators could also seize if their conditions deteriorate.

Additional Resources

Those interested in helping provide care or supplies for the seized horses are asked to call the Larimer Humane Society, which is coordinating the effort, at [phone].


(© MMVII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

[shekaberry]

Totally amazing what groceries will do for a horse. I wonder if any of her volunteers have stepped forward to defend her?

[jodycat]

This is the latest, posted on ABR by Margaret of Colorado TB Rescue (Margaret was the one who got the authorities involved). So if you know anyone in Colorado who might want to help these animals, please let them know.
~~~
Ok, this is what I know. It seems like I am the last one to know about anyting regarding these horses... and I have absolutely no say and my opinion does not matter to authorities.

The sheriff's department and the Larimer County Humane Society will be hosting an 'adoption'. They will not be selling the horses (because they would have to give Alesha 6 days notice before a sale). The strongly oppose giving the horses to Colorado Horse Rescue or other, reputable, agencies that have expereince and will rehab these needy horses.

They need the stall space for an upcoming show. The horses will become sheriff's property on Tuesday at noon. We're assuming that the 'adoption auction' (I think it will resemble more of a public circus) will happen at about that time. The prices were mentioned as :

Horses $200

Llamas $100

Goats $50

Does that sound crazy? It gets worse. If more than one person is interested, they will have a 'drawing' aka 'pick from a hat'. They thought about having a screening adoption form or contract- and I emailed copies of our strict application and placement contract- but, I can't get a call back.

We still have people working on the 'inside' on this. There is nothing we can do but sit back and wait. I know everyone wants to help, but please trust us. When phone calls and emails will help, we'll let you know right away. The emails/calls certainly helped get the horses out of Angels of Death in the first place.

"We" (several very expereinced, well spoken, connected volunteers that have been working together, including our vet) explained some concerns. The price is about 1/2 of slaughter price. the horses are not healthy, or broke (2 are unhandleable). Alesha cane get them back if a friend of hers buys them. How will adopters be screened? What sort of contract will protect the animals? How can they obtain ownership so quickly (it takes up toa year on other local counties)? Why be so opoosed to rescues like CHR and CO TB Rescue, who are legit and have been here to help the whole time? Why have the funds go to the humane society, not CHR, who is actually spending money rehabbing these injured horses. I, literally, can not elicit a response from the shelter manager or sheriff via email or phone calls.

I will guarantee everyone, this is not over. If this happens (we hope "they" will change their minds), we are planning to be there to 'adopt' as many horses as we can. We're already getting pledges to help with the (assidine) $200 adoption fee. We're also lining up home offers and offers from other rescues.

We also can't forget about the other horses left at Animal Angels.

On a positive note, 29 counts of animal cruelty should be filed against Alesha on Monday.

I joke around that I will either get arrested or run out of the county for stepping on the good ole boys toes.

More details as soon as they come. Visitors (including myself) are not allowed to see these horses, but I will try to see fi I can 'run into" the sheriff at The Ranch this weekend.

Sorry if there are any typos. I'm just leaving work and spent 4 horus in one surgery. My little brain is fried!

Margaret

www.ColoradoTBrescue.org

[jodycat]

And confirmed by The Coloradoan. Again, if you know anyone in Colorado who might be interested in bidding on and rehabbing these animals.........
~~~
Latest "in brief" from The Coloradoan:

In brief
Coloradoan staff

Sheriff's Office to show animals

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office on Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening will show animals seized from a Wellington livestock rescue as it looks for adopted homes for the animals.
Animal Angels owner Alesha Matchett has until Tuesday to post a $9,700 bond to retrieve the animals. If she can't pay that, the animals will become property of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office and will be offered for adoption that evening.

The public viewing will be at the The Ranch, Larimer County's fairgrounds, in the West Pavilion of the Ranch Way Feeds building from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The animals are not recommended for novice or first-time owners.

A fee will be charged for each adopted animal; $200 for horses, $100 for llamas and alpacas and $50 for goats and a pot-belly pig.

[jodycat]

Latest news below. Two women who were there (including Margaret of Colorado RB Rescue who spearheaded getting these animals seized) were very depressed after yesterday's viewing. One horse was colicking, another in serious pain due to "healed hip fracture" and bad feet. One said she was looking around for a euthanasia donation jar for at least that second horse.

www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/NEWS01/801070316/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=5670

And of course, Alesha Matchett still has animals (whose body scores were around 3-4).........

This is too depressing and I was hoping for much more from the sheriff's department and local humane society.