A Pueblo woman has been charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty and two counts of child abuse following an investigation by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.
During the investigation, authorities rescued 23 animals from the home of Elizabeth Barnes-McDaniel, 38, according to a Wednesday social media post by the PCSO. Animals rescued from Barnes-McDaniel’s residence on Galileo Drive included six horses, nine dogs, five cats, two snakes and a chicken.
Twenty-three of the animal cruelty counts were misdemeanor charges, and one count was a felony, as one horse, named “Rocky,” had to be euthanized due to neglect, according to the criminal complaint in the case. Both child abuse charges were misdemeanors.
The investigation was launched after a citizen reported possible animal cruelty involving several malnourished horses owned by Barnes-McDaniel, according to the PCSO.
Rescued horses are being cared for at an equine rehab center. All the other animals are being taken care of by rescue partners. Barnes-McDaniel will make a first appearance in court on March 14.
An affidavit for Barnes-McDaniel was unavailable Wednesday because she was not arrested, according to Gayle Perez, a spokesperson for the PCSO.
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Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.
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