Jan 9, 2008 9:09 pm US/Mountain
Seized Animals To Be Placed In Temporary Care
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4/AP) ―
Authorities said 27 animals seized from a Fort Collins rescue shelter will be placed in temporary homes until a court decides their future.
The animals were taken late last month from Animal Angels Horse Rescue ranch after complaints that horses kept there were undernourished.
Authorities said ranch owner Alesha Matchett could face animal cruelty charges. She has denied wrongdoing and says the animals were well cared-for.
"If she got an animal two weeks ago, then it's probably not fair to charge her. But if she's had an animal for two years, and it's been in this condition, I think we've got some concerns," Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said. "So we're still trying to determine how long she has had some of these animals so we can build a stronger case."
Matchett posted a $10,000 bond on Tuesday, forestalling permanent adoption of the animals by others.
Matchett said she fears some of the people who signed up for the sheriff's stalled horse adoption might actually be planning to sell the horses at auction.
"Nobody will be able to say that I'm trying to make a profit off of these animals," Matchett said. "I would love to see them go to good homes. That's what I'm in it for. If I don't adopt these animals, I can't go back and save anything else."
Alderden said Wednesday the bond money will help pay for the animals' care. He said the animals are improving. They include 16 horses, ponies and donkeys, five llamas, five pygmy goats and one potbelly pig.
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