CASPER — A hoard of 22 animals removed from a local home last week, some emaciated and sick, continue to recover at a Casper animal shelter.
The animals — 13 dogs ranging in age from 8 weeks to adults, seven kittens and cats, one rabbit and a chicken — were rescued from a house on Blue Sage Lane on Dec. 6, according to a joint statement from the Casper Police Department and Natrona County Sheriff’s Office.
Animal protection officers responded to a request for a welfare check and discovered the large number of animals, some in bad condition. Sheriff’s office deputies helped remove the animals.
“In total, 22 animals were rescued and transported to be evaluated and receive care by a veterinarian,” the statement says.
“They are in rehabilitation at Metro Animal Services,” said Amber Freestone, a spokesperson for the shelter. “They are currently not available for adoption.”
She said criminal charges related to alleged animal neglect have been presented to the district attorney. A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that she was not sure the case had been assigned.
Casper Police Lt. Scott Jones credited animal protection officers for their work on the case.
“Their extensive training was utilized in assessing the situation, investigating leads, authoring a search warrant, and acting quickly to rescue these animals and get them emergency veterinary care,” he said in the joint statement.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
