Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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Woman fears her horse was starved
Posted: 01.11.2012 at 9:45 PM
Updated: 01.12.2012 at 6:55 AM
Rachel Welte

Rachel Welte is the Weekend News Anchor and a General Assignment Reporter.

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Bobbi-Jean Guerpo says her mom's horse, Pepper, was being boarded on Harris' property.  / Courtesy: Bobbi-Jean Guerpo
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Colorado Springs woman is speaking out about the horrific case of animal cruelty in Boone.

Last Friday Pueblo Animal Services, a division of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, carried out a warrant at a home in Boone.

There they found more than 60 animals, some of which were dead.

Valarie Harris, 55-year-old woman, was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

The animals meanwhile were removed, and are now recovering.

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Bobbi-Jeanne Guerpo said her mother's horse, Pepper, was boarded on Harris' property.

She said when she saw the story Monday night, her heart sank.

"It is absolutely disgusting that she could treat animals like that," Guerpo said.

Guerpo said Pepper had been living on the property for several months.

"He was being boarded there because where my mom lives now they do not have any metal fencing, and metal is the only thing that will keep him from jumping fences," she said.

Guerpo said her mom gave Harris $400 for hay that was spent elsewhere.

She said her mom trusted Harris to take care of Pepper and added they never expected her to go behind their back and steal.

"Then to come to find out she was starving animals, and that half of them look like they are on death row and ready to die, it is pathetic," Guerpo said.

Guerpo said her mom is currently in Denver recovering from surgery, and that is why she did not know how bad things had gotten with Pepper and the other animals.

"I am afraid she was not feeding him like my mom does to keep his weight up," she said.

The property where Harris' brother lives was fenced off Wednesday, locked with chains, and a "Beware of Danger" sign was plastered out front.

Guerpo said she has paperwork to prove Pepper is her mother's.

Officials with the Humane Society could not confirm or deny who Pepper belongs to because of the ongoing investigation.

If you would like to help any of the animals, officials are asking for monetary donations.

For additional details click here. 

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