Former Phoenix police officer is accused of animal cruelty, hoarding over 100 animals
Feb 19, 2015, 8:18 PM | Updated: Feb 20, 2015, 12:57 pm
NEW RIVER, Ariz. — A retired Phoenix police officer has been arrested and accused of 80 counts of animal cruelty.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s officials say 61-year-old Andrea Mikkel was taken into custody after being detained last month for allegedly hoarding animals.
Complaints from neighbors led sheriff’s deputies to Mikkel’s property in New River where they reported finding more than 100 animals including alpaca and zebras.
Also seized were 15 birds, 16 cats, 11 dogs, a pig, a rabbit, two turkeys, a chicken and rooster, three pigeons, four miniature horses and two horses.
Authorities say many of the animals appeared to be underweight and in distress.
UPDATE: MCSO detectives have seized 14 more animals from home of former Phx police officer booked on 80 counts of animal cruelty. #KTAR
— Cooper Rummell (@CooperRummell) February 20, 2015
The Associated Press and KTAR’s Cooper Rummell contributed to this story.
