FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The owner of an animal rescue shelter near Fort Collins says she will try to raise $10,000 for a bond so she can reclaim 27 animals seized by county officials over allegations that the animals were underfed.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Department seized horses, ponies, donkeys, llamas, goats and a potbelly pig on Saturday from Animal Angels Horse Rescue ranch.
Sheriff’s officials said ranch owner Alesha Matchett could face multiple charges of animal cruelty. No one answered the phone at the district attorney’s office Monday.
Matchett called the allegations against her “ridiculous.” She said many of the animals were underweight or suffered from parasites when she got them.
“I have never even received a citation for animal abuse,” she said.
Matchett has 10 days to raise the bond money to regain ownership of the seized animals. Otherwise, they would become the property of the Sheriff’s Department and could be turned over to the Larimer County Humane Society, said Cary Rentola, spokeswoman for the society.
Some of the animals were being cared for at the county fairgrounds and others were in humane society custody.
About four dozen animals remain at the rescue but could be seized if they are not receiving adequate care, authorities said. Another review is expected in two weeks, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Kathy Messick.
Matchett said she worried about who could end up adopting the animals.
Rentola said the humane society only adopts out animals if they feel the animal is ready and if the person meets certain requirements.
