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A 46-year-old Hesperus woman has been charged with more than 100 counts of animal cruelty after a lengthy investigation into the mistreatment of animals on her property in southwestern La Plata County resulted in a massive seizure last week.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Miera faces 105 counts of cruelty to animals. Her first court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 20 in La Plata County court.<\/p>\n
Miera signed her last name on the citation as \u201cJackson.\u201d She did not return The Durango Herald\u2019s call seeking comment.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 15, about 110 animals \u2013 including dogs, a cat, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, a burro, one duck, chickens and cattle \u2013 were seized from Miera\u2019s property in southwestern La Plata County.<\/p>\n
According to a La Plata County news release, the seizure was based on a \u201clengthy investigation based on animal cruelty allegations\u201d that included the assistance of multiple state agencies, as well as Southern Ute Rangers and Alaska Equine Rescue.<\/p>\n
Since the seizure, authorities have been tight-lipped in releasing additional information. Calls to La Plata County Animal Control Director Travis Woehrel and 6th Judicial District Attorney Christian Champagne on Monday were not returned.<\/p>\n
As a result, it is unclear what penalties the DA\u2019s Office is seeking.<\/p>\n
According to Colorado law, an animal cruelty charge is typically a Class I misdemeanor, which carries a minimum sentence of six months in prison or a $500 fine, or both.<\/p>\n
That would mean, in theory, Miera faces a possible minimum sentence of more than 52 years in prison and a $52,000 fine.<\/p>\n
However, Juliet Piccone, a Denver attorney who specializes in animal law, said courts usually exercise discretion and impose alternative sentences, such as community service or other corrective actions through plea agreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been some other pretty big busts across the state,\u201d Piccone said. \u201cBut this is bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because authorities failed to return the Herald\u2019s calls, it is also unclear Monday the possible fate of the 100-plus animals that were taken from Miera\u2019s property. In similar cases, Piccone said Animal Control would set a bond for the animals\u2019 release.<\/p>\n
State law also says that an owner may request a hearing to challenge the seizure and impoundment of their animals within 10 days after the date of impoundment. It was unknown Monday if Miera requested a hearing. The deadline would be Nov. 25<\/p>\n
La Plata County spokeswoman Megan Graham said last week the animals are being cared for. At least two of the dogs that were taken from the residence had received much-needed grooming from The Dapper Dog, a local grooming business.<\/p>\n