Horse rescue seizures bring animal cruelty charges

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

The legal system now will make the call whether 27 animals seized from a Wellington-area animal rescue facility suffered abuse at the hands of their rescuer.

The horses, ponies, donkeys, llamas, goats and pot belly pig were loaded into a caravan of trailers on Dec. 29 and removed from Animal Angels Horse Rescue eight miles northwest of Wellington.

County officials seized the animals after veterinarians determined that they required immediate attention resulting from a lack of food and water. The larger animals were temporarily housed at the county fairgrounds and the goats and pig at the Larimer Humane Society.

"Certainly a lot of them appear to be malnourished," said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden. "You can feel the bones through the flesh."

Flanked by pens containing the listless livestock, he spoke to a throng of reporters and photographers in a press conference called following that morning's raid. The animals ate heartily of the hay distributed as the event concluded.

Authorities will regularly monitor the condition of the 46 animals remaining at the refuge and still may seize others if their condition deteriorates, according to Alderden.

"It appears there's other things being rescued too," said Dave Wintz, acting executive director of the humane society.

Alderden said "well in excess" of 20 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty would be filed against Alesha Matchett, operator of Animal Angels. Despite the charge, "I think her motives were pure as far as rescuing these animals," Alderden said. "My belief is this wasn't an intentional act of cruelty."

"I think it's a situation where there are simply too many animals," said Wintz.

He said the humane society had a "history" with Animal Angels dating back to mid-2007 but believed its concerns had been addressed. "When we closed out this case we thought the owner was doing the right thing and on the right track," he said.

A defiant and emotional Matchett, who also attended the press conference, disputed the abuse allegations. She insisted that all the animals had access to adequate food, water and shelter.

Matchett claimed authorities refused to take into consideration that the horses frequently rescued from sales barns by Animal Angels often were already in deep distress. "When I save them from slaughter, they're in bad shape," she said.

Matchett maintained that the entire incident was maliciously motivated by an acquaintance who betrayed her when she sought assistance for the horses.

"We had no idea asking for help would lead to something like this," she said.

But Margaret DeSarno said if any malice is involved it's on Matchett's part. She instead called it a case of animal hoarding by someone obsessed. "Selfish is the best way to put it," DeSarno said.

A volunteer with the Wellington-based Colorado Thoroughbred Rescue, DeSarno said Matchett asked for help when they saw each other at the grocery store. According to DeSarno, Matchett said she was in the process of foreclosure and begged her for help.

"We went to see how bad it was and it was worse than we thought," she continued.

DeSarno said she subsequently removed three horses with Matchett's consent and transported them to the Colorado Horse Rescue facility in Longmont for care.

DeSarno said she also posted photos of horses at Animal Angels on a web site, provoking a nationwide reaction leading to investigation and seizure.

Matchett must within 10 days post a bond to regain possession of the animals. If not, they become property of the sheriff's office, according to Alderden.

The sheriff's office advises those wishing to help with the feeding of the seized animals--or interested in possible adoption--to contact the Larimer Humane Society at 226-3647.

Those wanting to donate cash to help pay for feed should contact Poudre Pet & Feed Supply at 622 N. College Ave., 482-2741, or 6204 S. College Ave., 225-1255.