Officials seize 16 neglected animals from New River youth rehab facility
Sep 29, 2017, 6:03 AM
(Photo: MCSO)
PHOENIX — More than a dozen neglected animals from a youth rehabilitation facility in New River were seized by Maricopa County officials, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday.
Investigators from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Unit seized 16 animals — eight horses, one foal, one miniature donkey, five dogs and one puppy — from the Remington Deaf Ranch. The animals were turned over by their owner, Dan Remington, police said.
Neighbors filed complaints of animal neglect on Sept. 22, telling officials that the animals were left in “terrible conditions” without food or water.
The horses were found to be “extremely thin with injuries.” Both the mare and the miniature donkey had difficulty walking and the dogs were infested with ticks and showed signs of illness, police said.
All of the animals are in emergency veterinarian care. Remington told police that he did not have money to treat the animals.
Officials also found three male teenagers who are believed to be from Ethiopia and are working on the property. Police said they did not show any signs of physical abuse.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made, police said.
The news came just weeks after Maricopa County officials seized three malnourished horses from a woman in Arizona who told officials she was relying on “hobos” and “transients” to take care of the animals.