Jan 11, 2008 7:30 pm US/Mountain
Larimer Co. Horse Rescue Founder Turns Herself In
Some Seized Animals Will Be Taken To Foster Homes This Weekend
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) ―
The founder of a horse rescue operation in Larimer County who is facing animal cruelty charges turned herself in to authorities on Friday.
Alesha Machett, of Wellington, posted a $3,000 bond to keep herself out of jail after a Friday court hearing in which a judge rejected her request to have the $10,000 bond she has been ordered to pay lowered.
The bond money goes towards the care of the dozens of animals who were seized from Machett's operation, Animal Angels Horse Rescue, after allegations surfaced that the animals were being underfed. The animals have been housed since late last month at the Larimer County Fairgrounds and have been tended to by the sheriff's department.
Sheriff's investigators on Dec. 29 took seized 16 horses, ponies and donkeys, five llamas, five pygmy goats and one potbellied pig from Animal Angels. On Friday they seized several additional animals after reevaluating the conditions on the property.
Machett faces 12 counts of cruelty to animals. An arrest warrant was issued for her on Friday, but the district attorney is reviewing the case and hasn't yet filed formal charges. More charges may result from Friday's new animal seizure. On each of the misdemeanor counts she faces 6 to 18 months in jail and a fine of $500 to $5,000.
A veterinarian and vet students from Colorado State University worked on the animals on Friday, getting them ready to go into foster care. They spent a lot of time on dental care and trimming the horses' hooves.
"Right now we're really trying to make sure we have medical issues controlled (and) contained, things that we hadn't addressed very much like the little sore on one horse's nose ... we're trying to address all those issues and make sure their feet are in good shape," veterinarian Bruce Connelly said.
The department's plan is for all of the animals that were seized at the earlier date to be in foster homes by Saturday night.
"We're setting up a feeding recommendation so that the foster homes can take these (horses) and know what to do with them."
Machett had asked a judge to keep the horses out of foster care, but the judge did not rule on that request on Friday, so the sheriff is going ahead with his plans.
Machett said her animals should never have been seized and were well-cared for.
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