More Than 150 Animals Rescued From Colorado Property In Animal Cruelty Case

More than 150 animals were rescued from a property in Colorado this week, and the owner is facing nearly as many animal cruelty charges, authorities said.

The Delta County Sheriff’s Office said deputies working together with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Humane Colorado and High Country Environmental Grazing executed a search warrant at a residence on Peach Valley Road as part of an investigation into alleged animal neglect and cruelty.

They arrived to find more than 150 animals, including livestock and companion animals, in “unsanitary conditions” without proper access to food or water. Investigators also found multiple dead animals on the property.

The living animals were “relocated” to receive “immediate” veterinary evaluations and care, including “pain management.”

Among the photos shared by the sheriff’s office, one showed a pony with severely overgrown hooves, and another showed a water fowl with some sort of growth or obstruction on its foot. Other photos showed underweight livestock and a weary-looking dog.

Mikaela Rivas, 40, was charged with 141 counts of cruelty to animals, a class 1 misdemeanor. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow.

“Delta County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to the community members who alerted law enforcement to this issue, and for the partner agencies that assisted with the transportation and care of all animals.”