Just one horse euthanized, 144 seized in Snow Mountain Stables animal cruelty investigation

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office executed a look for warrant at the Snow Mountain Stables on Tuesday and Wednesday. Through that investigation, 144 horses were seized, just one was euthanized and 38 remained in the care of the proprietor.
Grand County Sheriff’s Business/Courtesy photo

According to newly produced data from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, one particular horse was euthanized and an additional 144 seized during an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty and neglect at the Snow Mountain Stables.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Business executed a look for warrant in coordination with companion businesses together with the Colorado Humane Culture at the Snow Mountain Stables locale. The procedure took spot Tuesday and Wednesday.

The on-scene investigation by officers and and preliminary veterinarian assessments by Dr. Courtney Diehl with the Dumb Close friends League resulted in officers seizing 144 horses and transporting them to the Dumb Close friends League Harmony Equine Center in Franktown, in accordance to a sheriff’s place of work assertion.



The sheriff’s business office stated owing to severe emaciation and severe, untreated injuries, just one horse was not able to make the journey safely to Harmony without having continued discomfort and struggling. Thus, the veterinarian on website determined it was in the very best fascination of the horse to be humanely euthanized on scene, according to the assertion.

The statement added that the veterinarian analyzing the horses designed the perseverance that 38 horses ended up in suitable affliction and have been introduced to the proprietor with course to set up quick adhere to up veterinarian care.



Snow Mountain Stables did not immediately reply to a ask for for comment. According to the Colorado Secretary of Point out, Snow Mountain Stables was fashioned in November 2019 with a registered agent beneath the very same title.

The seized horses will keep on being in the care and custody of the Colorado Humane Society all through the investigation with the upcoming placement or return of the animals to be determined by the judicial process or point out legislation.

The sheriff’s business office reported each horse is getting evaluated for injuries, health issues and malnutrition. Horses with major ailments are getting speedy veterinary treatment. The assertion said at the moment, all horses are secure, protected and becoming delivered heaps of meals and drinking water, with numerous dealing with “a extensive highway to recovery.”

The stables at this area ended up operated through a non-public seller beneath contract with the YMCA of the Rockies-Snow Mountain Ranch, and are not owned or operated by the YMCA of the Rockies. That deal has been terminated, in accordance to Amy Wolf, advertising manager for Snow Mountain Ranch.

“YMCA Of the Rockies – Snow Mountain Ranch is saddened by the functions of this previous 7 days,” she mentioned in an emailed assertion. “We support the Grand County Sheriff’s Business and our entire community in our determination to guaranteeing a secure put for all living points.”

Wolf extra that Snow Mountain Ranch is operating closely with the Grand County Sheriff’s Business.

The sheriff’s place of work reported the investigation into this lively case is ongoing. No decisions on expenses have yet been designed.

The sheriff’s office environment encourages anyone that was a immediate witness to this scenario to call them at 970-725-3343 or send out an electronic mail to [email protected] and supply an official statement if they have not now.

Grand County Animal Manage, 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Colorado Human Modern society, East Grand Hearth Defense District, Grand Fire Defense District, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Business office, Gilpin County Sheriff’s Business, Humane Modern society of the Pikes Peak Area, and the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Centre assisted in the reaction.

This is the second investigation of animal abuse in Grand County this 7 days, with the seizure of 15 dogs from a Gore Pass dwelling on Sunday. A gentleman is struggling with 15 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in that circumstance.

Editor’s notice: This story has been updated with feedback from YMCA of the Rockies-Snow Mountain Ranch and supplemental info about Snow Mountain Stables.