16 horses and a donkey ready for adoption through Jeffco
JEFFERSON COUNTY – A herd of horses and a donkey seized in an animal neglect investigation need new homes.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was awarded ownership of the 17 animals by court order after their owner, John McCulley was charged with 38 counts of animal neglect and one count of animal cruelty.
The 17 animals now are up for adoption, the Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.
They were taken from the owner in May after deputies investigating reports of a man dragging a horse behind a truck found it injured and emaciated behind an outbuilding at 12601 W. 82nd Ave. The horse had to be euthanized.
Investigators also noticed several other apparently malnourished horses on the property and took custody of them. Farmers, horse owners, veterinarians and other members of Jeffco’s equestrian community responded, nursing the horses and donkey back to health in an effort coordinated by the Table Mountain Animal Center and Animal Control officers.
“It is my hope that the people in the horse community will step forward to provide loving homes for all of the animals,” said Carla Zinanti, Jeffco’s Animal Control Manager.
“Many of these horse have trust issues and will need patient and consistent training. Some apparently have never been haltered or ridden. Others have special needs and may require additional care,” she said.
People interested in adopting any of the animals should contact Jefferson County Animal Control, ATTN: Horse Adoption, 700 Jefferson County Parkway #160, Golden, Colo., 80401 or e-mail at animal-control@jeffco.us before Aug. 28.
Photos and details of each of the animals are posted on the Sheriff’s Office Web site.
Adoption applicants can expect a visit from Animal Control officers who will inspect the site and conduct interviews to evaluate the placement opportunities. If more than one qualified applicant wants to adopt the same horse, names will be drawn from a hat.
Folks adopting one of the animals will be required to pay an $18 brand inspection fee and make a donation to Table Mountain Animal center to cover the costs of the animals’ care.
