Horse and dog neglect
Calhan, CO (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 16, 2006
County: El Paso
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendants/Suspects:
» Jacquelyn Gray
» James Shugart
Case Updates: 5 update(s) available
Several neglected animals were found living on a ranch near the town of Calhan on Nov 16.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Department visited the ranch on Thursday and found three horses and one dog in bad condition, according to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
Authorities say the dog was removed.
The horses were left on the property, but are now in the care and treatment of the humane society, according to authorities.
The reason the horses were left on the property is because of specific statements by the owners and the vets on the scene.
The owners of the animals, James Shugart and Jacquelyn Gray, were cited for animal cruelty.
Case Updates| James Shugart pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of animal cruelty against a dog and his wife Jacqueline Gray pleaded guilty to 3-counts of animal cruelty to horses. Their sentencing is scheduled for October. | Source: Fox 21 News - Aug 24, 2007
Update posted on Aug 24, 2007 - 12:54AM |
| Jacquelyn Gray appeared in court on April 6 for a pre-trial conference. The matter was continued to May 4 at 1:30 p.m. She faces three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. No court date has been set for co-defendant James Shugart. | Source: Docket # 06M9752
Update posted on Apr 11, 2007 - 5:54PM |
| Jacquelyn Gray was arraigned on three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals on December 12, 2006. She will next appear in court for a pre-trial conference on April 6, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. in the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse, located at 270 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. No court date has been set for co-defendant James Shugart. | Source: Docket # 06M9752
Update posted on Jan 17, 2007 - 7:37PM |
Two eastern El Paso County residents, cited last month on suspicion of animal cruelty, have since given away at least 15 animals, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region said.
In November, a neighbor reported animals being abused in the 34000 block of Funk Road, the home of Jacqueline Gray and James Shughart, Humane Society Director Wes Metzler said.
There were more than 20 dogs, four horses, five llamas, five goats and some geese and chickens on the property, many living in squalid conditions, Metzler said. The dogs were all living in a trailer, and many of the animals were in filthy stalls.
"The condition of the place was a God-awful mess," Metzler said.
One starving dog was seized by the Humane Society and has since recovered, Metzler said. Shughart was cited on suspicion of one count of animal cruelty for the dog.
Three horses also had not been fed properly, Metzler said. Gray was cited on suspicion of three counts of animal cruelty for the horses.
Since the Nov. 16 call, Humane Society investigators have returned to the property at least every other day. Metzler said the owners have voluntarily given up the horses, llamas and half of the dogs.
Metzler said it appears the animals weren't purposely neglected, but the owners had collected more than they could care for.
Marsha Looper, a Calhan area rancher who was elected last month to represent Colorado House District 19, is one of several eastern plains residents to take in some of the animals.
She offered to take the llamas to her ranch and find them permanent homes. She paid the owners $200 for three of them, and has all five at her ranch.
She said the animals are thin and all had spent days at a time tied to posts. The owners want them to find good homes.
"I think they like animals but they just couldn't afford them," she said. "In their hearts they may have soft spots but in reality they cannot afford them."
Despite rumors flowing through eastern El Paso County and published reports, Metzler said there is no evidence any of the animals were physically harmed.
Although eight dead animals were found on the property, there was no indication they were harmed either, he said.
"Some of these animals have been dead for a long time. There were bones all over," he said. Some may have died of natural causes, Metzler said, and not been buried. The bodies showed no signs of neglect or cruelty, he said.
The residents plan to keep a dozen dogs. Metzler said the Humane Society has no problem with that. | Source: Colorado Springs Gazette - Dec 2, 2006
Update posted on Dec 2, 2006 - 12:52PM |
The Pikes Peak Humane Society returned to a ranch in southern Colorado Monday and removed more animals they say were neglected.
A total of nine dogs have now been surrendered or given away from the ranch near Calhan.
When authorities first visited the ranch last week, they removed one dog.
Three horses have also been taken away.
The owners of the animals have booth been cited for animal cruelty by the El Paso County Sheriff's Department.
Jacquelyn Gray faces three counts and James Shugart faces one count. | Source: 9 News - Nov 20, 2006
Update posted on Nov 21, 2006 - 11:18AM |
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