La Plata County officials seize about 110 animals for alleged cruelty
Lengthy investigation leads to search warrant
By Herald Staff Report
Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 5:19 PM
Updated: Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 8:47 PM
Animal Protection Services and the La Plata County Sheriff's Office seized about 110 animals, including this horse, from a property Wednesday in southwestern La Plata County on suspicion of animal cruelty.
Courtesy of La Plata County Humane Society
Animal Protection Services and the La Plata County Sheriff's Office seized about 110 animals, including this dog, from a piece of property Wednesday in southwestern La Plata County on suspicion of animal cruelty.
About 110 animals were seized from a resident's private property Wednesday in southwestern La Plata County.
The animals were taken as part of a lengthy investigation into allegations of animal cruelty, according to a news release issued Friday by the La Plata County Humane Society, which oversees Animal Protection Services.
Animals seized included dogs, a cat, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, a burro, one duck, chickens and cattle. The La Plata County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant that allowed Animal Protection to take the animals.
Travis Woehrel, director of Animal Protection, did not return phone calls Friday seeking comment, including a specific location of where the animals were seized and what happened to them.
Megan Graham, spokeswoman for La Plata County, said a citation was issued for animal cruelty, but she did not identify the person who was cited. She was unsure if additional citations are pending.
Graham said the animals are being cared for but declined to reveal their location.
The Humane Society credited numerous agencies with participating in the seizure, including Colorado Department of Agriculture/Bureau of Animal Protection, La Plata County Sheriff's Office, State of Colorado/State Veterinarian, Colorado Humane Society, Southern Ute Rangers and Alaska Equine Rescue.
"LPCHS (Humane Society) and the Animal Protection Services Department are exceptionally grateful for the assistance, expertise and experience that these animal welfare agencies brought to the investigation and seizure," the release said.
The release said information is limited pending the investigation. "Further information will be forthcoming when it becomes available," it said.
shane@durangoherald.com
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