Debra Clopton has been arrested and charged with three felony counts . She has not been charged with animal cruelty in connection with pending animal hoarding allegations against her.
On Monday, KOB Eyewitness News 4 was there live as officers from the Santa Fe City and County Animal Services, along with Dona Ana County Animal Cruelty Task Force, executed a search warrant on Clopton's rural home.
Those officers now tell KOB that she had a total of 48 dogs, eight outside and 40 inside.
They say Clopton had narcotics used by vets, which, as a former veterinarian, she is no longer allowed to possess.
Clopton was a veterinarian in Rio Rancho until her license got taken away, in part because she was treating an animal when her license expired.
Any decision about whether cruelty charges will be filed against her will only be made after a complete assessment of the dogs is done, officials say.
It's not the first time she's been accused of animal cruelty.
The sheriff's office says she was a veterinarian in Rio Rancho until her license got taken away, in part because she was treating an animal when her license expired.
"That is concerning to us because if in fact she's performing any veterinary care on these animals we'd be able to charge her with something for practicing without a license," said Lt. William Pacheco.
Neighbor Vickie Simpson is glad authorities are stepping in before things get worse.
"I think one of these days the dogs are going to turn on her, that's how vicious they are," she said.
(KOB - April 2, 2013)
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