Two arrested for animal cruelty after 70+ animals found mistreated
Two people from the Coffeyville, Kansas, area have been arrested for alleged animal cruelty. Read the full press release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office below:
On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Kansas Department of Agriculture served a search warrant on a residence in rural Coffeyville, Kansas, for animal cruelty.
The Sheriff’s Office and the KDA developed probable cause that many animals on the property and inside the residence were malnourished and being housed in very disturbing conditions.
During the search warrant, detectives located and seized over 70 animals from the property including dogs, cats, birds, snakes, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and a lizard, as well as deceased animals. None of the animals had access to food or clean water and they were living in their own fecal matter.
Detectives had a local veterinarian respond to the scene to evaluate the animals. The animals were removed from the scene and are being housed at appropriate shelters until further notice.
Detectives arrested Heather Hall of rural Coffeyville, Kansas, and Rafael Luna-Dezonne of rural Coffeyville, Kansas. Hall and Luna-Dezonne were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections where they were booked into DOC on charges of cruelty to animals: failure to provide food/water/shelter and cruelty to animals: Knowingly kill or injure animals.
Sheriff Ron Wade said, “The living conditions for these poor animals were deplorable and uncalled for. It was very clear these animals were not being taken care of; they were starving.” Wade said, “Animals that we call pets rely on their owners to feed, water, and take care of their needs. To keep them cooped up in cages, buildings, and containers, and left to live in their fecal matter and starve is uncalled for.” Wade said, “I would like to thank the patrol deputies, detectives, KDA, Montgomery County Environmental office, the vet clinic and the kennels for their assistance and teamwork rescuing these animals. I am sure the animals are very thankful as well.”
This case will be sent to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for review and proper charging.