New Mexico: Sandra Quick and Alan Quick, operators of K-9 and Feline Assistance Tularosa, charged with animal cruelty, child abuse

NEW MEXICO -- Prosecutors say charges will be filed against an animal rescue group found with neglect, and in some cases dead animals, they were supposed to be caring for. They say first they must deal with child abuse charges against them.

 

Sheriff’s deputies found dogs with nothing but skin and bones, some left dead in crates, on a property near Tularosa last month. One dog was tied up so tightly that it couldn’t even lie down. Some were so badly malnourished they could barely walk.

The people who own the rescue, K-9 and Feline Assistance Tularosa, are Sandra and Alan Quick.

Prosecutors say charges are coming for the treatment of the animals but right now a child abuse case against them is taking precedence.

According to court records just a day before the animals were seized, police found six children ranging in age from two to ten in bad shape. Police describe the children as “very, very dirty.” They say the smell of body odor, feces and urine from the trailer was strong.

Nine people in all were living in a small RV.

 

 

 

Children Youth and Families Department took custody of all the children and the Quick’s where charged with six counts of felony abuse.

As for the dogs, other area rescues are come in to help. They say the whole situation is horrible.

“It’s really devastating because as a rescue we do this for the dog, we don’t do it for us and to know that people trusted her, believed in her,” said Minnie Bueno with a local rescue.

A representative from the county manager office says that the county does not have regulations for animal rescues and that they are regulated by the state

Local rescues say that’s obviously not enough because it’s clear no one checked on this group.

“I think it’s time for Otero County to step up and say we’re not going to accept this anymore,” said Bueno.

 

This dog was chained so tightly it couldn't move

KRQE News 13 also learned that the sheriff’s office had been out to the rescue at the beginning of December, where the owners were cited for not vaccinating some of their dogs but did not seize the dogs until weeks later.

KRQE News 13 called the sheriff’s office to try to find out why, but have not heard back.

Um, yeah I mentioned this in my original story - that the police had gone to the house and removed the kids but didn't bother returning for the animals until almost two weeks later - by that time, 12 animals had died.

(KRQE - Jan 5, 2016)

Earlier:

• Within 24 hours of the first complaint about animals, six children were removed from horrific living conditions. But it was another 11 days before they went back for the 42 animals. Twelve were found dead in shallow graves and inside pet crates
• New Mexico non-profit Animal Rescue K-9 and Feline of Tularosa run by Sandra Quick raided; dead and suffering animals removed