Why not count the goats and chickens?

I used to live in Elbert County, Colorado. It is a rural county east and south of the one I live in now. People in Elbert county like their animals, and there are a lot of them (animals, not people). Two residents recently pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and were given five years probation.

Upon the initial inspection, deputies saw a dead brown-and-white colored llama on the property. The defendants claimed that they did not know how the llama died.

Soon after seeing the llama, one of the deputies saw a dog running with the lower half of a horse's leg in its mouth. The defendants told law enforcement that the horse's name was Roy and that he had died and been fed to the dogs.

According to deputies, the defendants had the following animals on their property in February 2013: 8 horses; 2 miniature horses; 2 donkeys; 15 full-grown dogs; 7 puppies; 4 cats; 1 potbellied pig; 2 birds (African Grey Parrot and a Cockatoo); numerous goats; and numerous poultry.


Most of the horses were underweight and no food or water could be found for any of the equine.
Two goats had to be euthanized due to a broken leg and a large gaping wound on the shoulder or elbow.
Two dead kittens found in plastic bags in a freezer.

Authorities said seven new puppies were acquired since the defendants were on probation, violating one of the conditions of the probation. Inside the house were 15 full-grown dogs, six full-size cats, four kittens, five puppies. A puppy and a kitten had to be immediately removed for appearing sick and dehydrated.

In addition to the probation, O'Rourke and St. Antoine were sentenced 90 days in-home detention, a $1,000 fine each, plus restitution totaling around $2,000.

Prosecutors said the couple must also complete all of probation's mental health evaluations successfully. They cannot have more than three dogs, three cats, six birds for 18 months up to the full five years, and must comply with that portion in 21 days.

Additionally, they must spay and neuter all remaining animals.