Maricopa County sheriff's officials said Andrea Mikkel, 61, was taken into custody Thursday after being detained last month for allegedly hoarding animals at her home near Interstate 17 and the Carefree Highway.
Detectives found animal feces covering virtually every inch of the inside of the house. They said spider webs covered most of the walls and entryways. Cages holding pigeons, quail, roosters and rabbits were scattered throughout the home.
Detectives said many of the animals had open sores or medical issues that had not been addressed and no food or water had been provided.
Veterinarians determined that 57 animals required medical attention and needed to be seized.
Mikkel reportedly admitted she had a problem, but she refused to place the animals in better homes or with a wildlife sanctuary, according to sheriff's officials.
Mikkel was hospitalized briefly after officials said she attempted suicide while being questioned by deputies in January. She swallowed a tab from a soda can and it became lodged in her throat.
Since serving the search warrant on Jan. 5, detectives have been visiting her property on a regular basis to ensure the remaining animals were being cared for, officials said. Detectives also attempted to find an expert who could properly evaluate the zebras' living and medical conditions.
During this time, officials said Mikkel started secretly sending some of the animals to friends. The zebras are in the care of a friend in Cave Creek. That person has been cooperating with the sheriff's office and an Arizona Game and Fish expert on zebras was finally able to examine the pair.
On Thursday afternoon, detectives seized another 14 animals from the property.
Mikkel's attorney, Marc Victor, said Mikkel would have turned herself in if she had been summoned on charges and said there was no need to make her arrest so public.
"This, in my opinion, was nothing but grandstanding, showboating by Sheriff Joe Arpaio," Victor said. "I think it's an outrage. I think it violates due process."
But Arpaio said Thursday that he and his staff "don't negotiate with defense attorneys."
The sheriff said Mikkel could be sentenced to a year in prison for each of the 80 misdmeanor counts. He said additional charges are still possible.
Victor said it's Mikkel's arrest that has put the animals at risk.
"To go out to my client's property today, where she was actually caring for her animals, and arrest her and create a crisis for her animals, who are now, I'm told by her neighbors, running around uncared for," he said.
A judge told Mikkel at her initial court appearance Thursday night that she has seven days to find homes for the animals remaining on her property and that she cannot currently take on new animals.
ARREST INFO:
Andrea Rene Mikkel
Gender: FEMALE
DOB: 2/14/1953
Height: 5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
Weight: 120 lb (54 kg)
Hair Color: BLONDE OR STRAWBERRY
Eye Color: GREEN
Booking Number: T155252
Arrest Date: 2/19/2015
Charges:
ANIMAL CRUELTY/WORK ANIMAL
ANIMAL CRUELTY/WORK ANIMAL
ANIMAL-CRUEL NEGLECT/ABANDON
ANIMAL-CRUEL NEGLECT/ABANDON
(AZ Family - Feb 20, 2015)
Earlier:
- MCSO investigating zebras, other animals reportedly involved in Phoenix animal cruelty situation
- Woman in Phoenix animal hoarding case swallows soda tab to avoid jail
- Neighbors defend woman, Andrea Mikkel, accused of animal cruelty
- Phoenix woman, Andrea Mikkel, says animals seized from home were not neglected
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