By: ABQRAW staff
Posted: 11/2/2023 @ 12:00PM
All Pics provided by BCSO
Bernalillo County, NM- The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Task Force executed a search warrant yesterday at a now condemned property in the East Mountains. The large-scale operation stems from a series of investigations into suspected animal cruelty.
To date, the Animal Cruelty Task Force discovered over 40 dogs on the property, with numbers expected to increase as the search continues. An adult male is currently in custody, facing felony animal cruelty charges. We will provide additional details as the search unfolds.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and Bernalillo County Animal Care Services began collaborative efforts with the property owner to manage the animal population in the fall of
2022. While there was initial cooperation, the number of animals on the property fluctuated dramatically. By July 2023, the situation escalated into a community concern, with the owner’s non-compliance resulting in breaches of the Bernalillo County Animal Care Ordinance. These developments warranted the initiation and execution of yesterdays search warrant.
Sheriff Allen reestablished the Animal Cruelty Task Force in June 2023, emphasizing its dedication to addressing these critical issues. Yesterdays operation is a testament to its efficacy, marking the second major animal rescue initiative since its reinstatement.
Bernalillo County Animal Care Services will assess the rescued animals to determine their health and adoptability. The collaborative efforts of the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Care Services underscore Bernalillo County agencies’ commitment to safeguarding the well-being of all residents, both human and animal.
When we reached out to Bernalillo County Animal Care Services and they told us in a statement that they and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office executed a warrant in the East Mountains yesterday resulting in the seizure of 54 dogs with the expectation of approximately ten more to follow.
Staff is in the process of assessing the dogs. Some are as young as two days and most are feral (unsocialized), ill, and/or have tested positive for parvovirus and coccidia. The socialized and healthy-appearing dogs are being quarantined due to their exposure to the parvovirus. Following a ten day quarantine period, dogs cleared by the Animal Care Services medical team will eventually be made available for adoption.
As a result of this seizure, Animal Care Services is now over-capacity. The department is asking for the public’s help to provide foster homes for healthy animals. Click here to sign up to become an animal foster companion. Animal Care Services staff appreciates the public concern and support being expressed for these animals.
