Animal abuse cases in Maricopa County surge
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Animal abuse cases are surging across Maricopa County, Arizona as dozens of exotic animals were rescued in Rio Verde over the weekend.
From Litchfield Park, where in July, multiple dogs and cats were living in deplorable conditions, to Rio Verde, where over 50 exotic animals allegedly had no food or water in days.
"The lack of water and food is absolutely neglect," said Sheriff Jerry Sheridan with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).
The summer season has seen a wave of animal abuse and neglect investigations by the MCSO. Sheriff Sheridan has revamped their Animal Crimes Unit, bringing the voiceless justice.
"When I see this and see the horses and their ribs are showing the bones are sticking out, I know they're not being cared for, and that's a crime, and there's a new sheriff in town that will not tolerate that," Sheridan expressed.
Detectives paid a surprise visit to a property owner in Rio Verde Saturday night after a neighbor reported not seeing the animals get food or drinking water for multiple days.
When they arrived, they found empty buckets and troughs right next to the animals.
MCSO interviewed the property owner, who claimed he had just supplied water throughout his property that day, but the evidence did not support it.
"Especially with the excessive heat we've been experiencing, is a critical issue. A horse will drink in the summer, probably 25 to 30 gallons a day, so there was no water in there," Sheridan spoke.
Some of those animals are being cared for by a vet while others are at the MCSO MASH Unit in Phoenix, where they receive near 24 hours a day care.
"My office and law enforcement in this county continue to make animal welfare a priority," said Rachel Mitchell, attorney for Maricopa County.
Mitchell says her office is hiring two additional prosecutors who will solely focus on prosecuting animal abuse cases.
Their case load this year is on pace to nearly double what it was in 2024.
"When I say my office is fighting for justice for all victims of crime, highlights, I mean all victims, and that includes victims with four legs," Mitchell remarked.
