Arizona: Animal neglect allegations investigated in Tonopah; 100+ animals seized

ARIZONA -- Animal crimes deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office seized dozens of animals in Tonopah Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies are working to remove 60 to 70 animals from the property, including, turkeys, chickens, goats, rabbits and dogs.

 

"We have seven dogs and six puppies that will be taken," Deputy Joaquin Enriquez said. "A cat, rabbits and a mini horse that the hooves have completely grown out."

Deputies said they spotted the property while investigating another case. They left a notice to the owners of the property to take better care of their animals. When that didn't happen, deputies got a search warrant and raided the property, MCSO said.

 

"There was no water, there was no food," Enriquez said. "A lot of the animals looked like they had been neglected."

No one was on the property at the time it was raided.

 

According to detectives, one man who lives on the property was arrested in 2010 for cockfighting and later convicted. They are also working to track down a woman who lives there.

All the animals will be taken to a veterinarian to get checked out before being taken to the MASH (Maricopa County Animal Safe Haven) unit.

(Tucson News Now - March 16, 2016)