Rescue investigated for neglect
Surprise, AZ (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 25, 2005
County: Maricopa

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendants/Suspects:
» Cynthia Karen Voss
» Kim Kolstad - Dismissed

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

The operators of an animal sanctuary in Surpise are under investigation on neglect charges after authorities were called to the remote ranch and found several horses that were in such poor health that they had to be euthanized.

Three of the 52 horses had to be put down and five others were remove so that they could be treated by veterinarians, said Sgt. Kip Rustenburg, a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

Investigators will monitor the other horses being allowed to remain at the ranch, which is northwest of Grand Avenue and Loop 303, Rustenburg said.

The ranch is operated by The Hooved Animal Humane Society of Arizona Inc., a group that offers shelter to endangered animals, including horses and poultry, that need "a second chance at a new life," according to the group's Web site.

Deputies were called to the ranch, 23010 N. 185th Ave., just south of Pinnacle Peak Road, after callers voiced concern about the welfare of horses there, Rustenburg said.

Kim Kolstad, the president of the humane group, said the three horses that had to be put down, as well as the five others taken away for veterinary care, already were in poor physical shape when the charity offered them sanctuary.

Kolstad said she remains confident that she and Robert and Cynthia Voss, the ranch operators, will be able to offer proper care to the 44 horses allowed to remain. Money was not available to provide veterinary care to the five horses hauled away, she said.

Kolstad said the animal charity has been in operation for about 10 years, but has taken a terrible financial beating because of this year's hurricane disasters on the Gulf Coast.

Contributions have dried up, probably because of money that is now being offered for hurricane relief, Kolstad said.

She said that for the past few weeks, she and the Voss couple have been feeding horses at the ranch largely from their own pockets while skipping payments on consumer debts.

"We did the best we could," Kolstad said. "We are beyond our financial resources."

Rustenburg, the sheriff's spokeswoman, said Kolstad and Cynthia Voss are suspects in the animal-neglect probe.

Kolstad said she appreciates the help received Tuesday. She said, if necessary, she will provide documentation that horses at the ranch were provided the best care that the limited financial resources would allow.

The non-profit group, according to its Web site, offers sanctuary to horses that are old, have medical problems and have been the victims of abuse.

It puts rehabilitated horses up for adoption, or offers shelter for animals that cannot be adopted, for whatever reason.

Case Updates

References

• - Oct 25, 2005

« AZ State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Maricopa County, AZ

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