{"id":97803,"date":"2018-09-26T16:45:25","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T22:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/court-documents-describe-abysmal-conditions-in-animal-cruelty-case\/"},"modified":"2018-09-26T16:45:25","modified_gmt":"2018-09-26T22:45:25","slug":"court-documents-describe-abysmal-conditions-in-animal-cruelty-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/court-documents-describe-abysmal-conditions-in-animal-cruelty-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Court documents describe abysmal conditions in animal cruelty case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Court
Court documents describe grisly conditions for domesticated animals before a massive search warrant and seizure was executed in November 2017 in southwestern La Plata County.<\/span>Courtesy of La Plata County Humane Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

New court documents reveal grisly details of a massive animal-abuse case suspected of happening in western La Plata County.<\/p>\n

The report, filed by the 6th Judicial District Attorney\u2019s Office, describes the condition of more than 30 animals that lived in cages filled with urine and feces, had injuries that went untreated or lacked access to water and food.<\/p>\n

In one instance, a horse was in such poor condition, it had to be euthanized.<\/p>\n

District Attorney Christian Champagne declined to comment for this story, citing the pending legal case.<\/p>\n

Calls to the couple charged \u2013 Jeffery and Elizabeth Jackson \u2013 were not returned.<\/p>\n

In November 2017, authorities executed an animal seizure on the Jacksons\u2019 property in southwestern La Plata County after a lengthy investigation into the mistreatment of animals.<\/p>\n

The couple, who have pleaded not guilty, were originally charged with more than 100 counts of animal cruelty. Last month, however, the number of charges was reduced to 31 counts of animal cruelty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe reduced the number of counts to reflect the counts for which we have the strongest evidence,\u201d Champagne told The Durango Herald <\/em>at the time.<\/p>\n

The District Attorney\u2019s Office on Aug. 26 submitted to the courts a \u201cbill of particulars\u201d that explains the reason behind each count of animal cruelty.<\/p>\n

\"A
A massive animal seizure last year on this property in western La Plata County resulted in the landowners being charged with 31 counts of animal abuse.<\/span>Durango Herald file<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Most animals, according to court records, were housed in a manner that resulted in \u201cchronic or repeated serious physical harm.\u201d The accounts show they were also deprived of necessary sustenance, mistreated and neglected.<\/p>\n

Also, nearly all the animals were in danger of stepping on \u201cnumerous amounts of metal debris\u201d on the property. Several animals had been injured by the metal debris, including a pig found with a nail in its foot, according to the bill of particulars.<\/p>\n

A male sorrel horse found on the property had to be euthanized \u201cdue to its poor condition\u201d as a result of mistreatment and neglect, court documents show.<\/p>\n

A duck and two chickens were \u201cfound in a filthy cage surrounded by urine and feces, without access to food or water.\u201d<\/p>\n

A small Shih Tzu mix dog was found with \u201cseverely matted hair and was stuck to the floor of the residence by its own feces.\u201d<\/p>\n

A white sheep was seen limping on videos taken Oct. 25, 2017, a few weeks before the seizure.<\/p>\n

Two horses had a laceration on their left hind legs.<\/p>\n

Of the eight horses listed in the court document, all were housed in a dangerous manner, deprived of necessary sustenance and had a \u201clow body condition score,\u201d meaning the animals were underfed and malnourished, the court document says.<\/p>\n

All of the horses were at risk of stepping on dangerous metal debris around the property.<\/p>\n

Eleven pigs were found \u201crunning loose on the property \u2026 able to access and roll in sharp debris and other hazards.\u201d<\/p>\n

One pig was found in an enclosure without feed or water. Another boar pig was found in an enclosure without food or water and was kept \u201cin such a small pen it could not turn around inside of its enclosure without injuring itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeffery Jackson is set for a three-day jury trial starting Nov. 29.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Jackson, who is also referred to in court documents by her maiden name, Miera, is set for a three-day jury trial starting Dec. 13.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Jackson is also charged with poaching after investigators allegedly found a poached elk on the property.<\/p>\n

jromeo@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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