{"id":35674,"date":"2023-02-20T10:23:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T17:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/records-show-gaps-in-process-after-18-dogs-are-euthanized-in-cortez\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T08:26:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:26:24","slug":"records-show-gaps-in-process-after-18-dogs-are-euthanized-in-cortez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/records-show-gaps-in-process-after-18-dogs-are-euthanized-in-cortez\/","title":{"rendered":"Records show gaps in process after 18 dogs are euthanized in Cortez"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"One
One of 10 adult feral dogs captured by the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 21. (Montezuma County Sheriff\u2019s Office body camera)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Records show gaps in process after 18 dogs are euthanized in Cortez<\/p>\n\n

A case involving 18 feral dogs surrendered from a home on County Road 20 and euthanized by the Cortez Animal Shelter late last year sheds light on a growing problem with feral and at-large dogs in Montezuma County, a rising threat to residents and to domestic and wild animals, and an extended response by local agencies.<\/p>\n

The 18 surrendered dogs were not tested for disease, although a sheriff\u2019s deputy involved in their capture said they showed symptoms of canine distemper, a highly contagious and deadly disease for wildlife, pets and livestock.<\/p>\n

The feral dogs presented a potential threat to wildlife, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife was not notified about the situation.<\/p>\n

Public alerts about the threat of the free-roaming dogs were not issued by government agencies, and Sheriff\u2019s Office documentation of the dog surrender was incomplete.<\/p>\n

After obtaining dozens of documents through Colorado\u2019s Open Records Act and conducting dozens of interviews for this article, The Journal<\/em> found that the case of uncontrolled dogs and livestock had lingered since 2017.<\/p>\n

The dogs \u2013 eight puppies and 10 adults \u2013 were found at a home at 10900 County Road 20 by the Montezuma County Sheriff\u2019s Office after residents complained about roaming dogs, according to shelter and incident reports.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe responded to complaints over there. It was getting to be a real problem,\u201d said Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin.<\/p>\n

Deputy Michael Marston reported Dec. 14 that residents complained about \u201cferal dogs running all over the area and worrying neighbors who would walk in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

The property residents, William and Sally Douglas, said they were caring for the dogs, which continued to breed after a neighbor moved \u201cand the dogs were left behind,\u201d the incident report said.<\/p>\n

William Douglas voluntarily surrendered the dogs to the Sheriff\u2019s Office, and they were impounded by the Cortez Animal Shelter. Under Montezuma County ordinance 1-2010, it is unlawful for any person to harbor or possess a dog that is not under control.<\/p>\n

The puppies were put to death in October, and the 10 adults in December, ending the case after five years.<\/p>\n

According to Cortez Animal Shelter supervisor Jennifer Crouse, packs of feral dogs are rarely surrendered to the shelter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was something where it had just gotten away from them,\u201d Crouse told The Journal. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Ten
Ten adult dogs were surrendered to the Montezuma County Sheriff in December at a residence on County Road 20. (Montezuma County Sheriff video)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
\u2018Hot dogs covered in cheese sauce\u2019<\/div>\n

William and Sally Douglas bought the 160-acre property in 2005, according to county assessor records. Their modern, adobe-style home and attached two-car garage sits back from the road in a pi\u00f1on-juniper forest. Nearby is a fenced horse corral and a barn containing farming equipment and hay.<\/p>\n

William Douglas, a retired law enforcement officer, farms the land, which borders Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.<\/p>\n

Douglas told deputies that as the dogs arrived at his property, his wife, Sally, insisted that he build shelters and provide heat for them. He set up five igloo-style dog houses, tarp coverings and a propane heater.<\/p>\n

Sally Douglas \u201ccooked chicken, and hot dogs covered in cheese sauce,\u201d for the dogs, according to the incident report, and the couple spent about $600 per month to feed them.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of these dogs were approachable or friendly,\u201d the incident report stated. \u201cAny attempt to walk toward the dogs would cause them to run away.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dogs were free to come and go as they pleased.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey put domestic animals as well as people at risk,\u201d Nowlin said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we have an ordinance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nowlin said that by law, the Douglases became the owners of the dogs once they provided food and shelter.<\/p>\n

Managing the dogs became difficult, and the couple agreed to surrender the dogs to the Sheriff\u2019s Office to be impounded at the Cortez Animal Shelter. Because the dogs were surrendered and not seized, the dogs became the property of the shelter, and the couple were not charged the usual impound and daily boarding fees.<\/p>\n

The Sheriff\u2019s Office released body camera footage<\/a> of the roundup of the adult dogs.<\/p>\n

The Sheriff\u2019s Office described the dogs as feral, but Sally Douglas told The Journal <\/em>they were not feral or wild because she was caring for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved the dogs and cooked for them every morning,\u201d she said. \u201cThey had a tough life being abandoned, so I was giving them a good life. They were healthy. It was horrible to see them dragged off.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said officers indicated the dogs would be adopted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said they would go up to Denver for adoption,\u201d Sally Douglas stated.<\/p>\n

Nowlin explained if the state Animal Protection Bureau had become involved in a seizure of the dogs, the puppies would have been taken to Denver and might have been made available for adoption.<\/p>\n

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