Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Amy Orlando |
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Hoarding - 118 animals seized
Mesilla, NM (US)Incident Date: Friday, Aug 22, 2008
County: Dona Ana
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged:
» Carol Boyse
» Lester Boyse
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Authorities are meeting with prosecutors today to decide what charges to file against a pair of New Mexico State University employees suspected of hoarding 118 animals, mostly cats, at their Mesilla home.
Mesilla Marshal Angelo Vega said charges may be pending against Carol and Lester Boyse of the 1700 block of Bilbo Lane.
Vega said Dona Ana County sheriff's deputies were called to the home Thursday afternoon on a report of a dead horse.
Deputies reportedly discovered 102 cats, some of which were dead and stored in a freezer, along with the two dead horses and an undetermined number of pot-bellied pigs, goats and birds.
"It was a very bad area," Vega said. "...They're animal lovers but unfortunately there were too many animals for them to care for properly."
The NMSU directory lists Carol Boyse as the department head for library systems. Lester Boyse is in the agronomy and horticulture department.
Mesilla town ordinance allows ownership of up to two animals without a permit, Vega said.
The surviving animals were taken to the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley for evaluation. The horses were taken to Albuquerque where a necropsy was to be performed.
The animal services center on Friday issued an emergency plea for foster homes to provide care for some of the animals.
This is the latest animal hoarding case in Dona Ana County this year. About 30 cats were found by county animal control officers in late June.
Case UpdatesCharges have been filed against a pair of New Mexico State University employees suspected of hoarding 118 animals in their Mesilla home.
Carol and Lester Boyse, ages unknown, were each charged Thursday. Carol Boyse was charged with 19 fourth-degree felony counts of extreme cruelty to animals and 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Lester Boyse was charged with 15 felonies and seven misdemeanors.
It's unclear if the Boyses have been arrested. Their bonds were set at $50,000 each.
Investigators have said the animals were found last Thursday after Mesilla Marshal's deputies responded to the home on a report of a dead horse.
At the home, about 102 cats were found in addition to five horses, a pair of goats, a peacock and other animals.
Carol Boyse is the NMSU department head of library systems. Her husband works at a research assistant in the agronomy department. | Source: Las Cruces Sun - Aug 28, 2008
Update posted on Aug 28, 2008 - 7:06PM |
Most of the 100 animals seized in the county's latest animal hoarding case have been euthanized, an official said Tuesday.
A decision on criminal charges in the case is pending.
Only 14 animals were saved out of 118 found Friday in the Mesilla home of Carol and Lester Boyse, Mesilla Marshal Angelo Vega said.
Most of the animals — about 100 — were cats. Staff at the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley were able to save seven cats, two pigs, a peacock, a goat and three horses. Ownership of the surviving animals has been relinquished by the Boyses, allowing authorities to place them with foster families, Vega said.
The horses were evaluated Tuesday and will require special care because of issues with their hooves.
The horses will be "cared for at high-maintenance because their hooves were so out of control," Vega said. "They're basically going to become a high-maintenance care pet."
Prosecutors on Tuesday were still considering charging the Boyses with what could be dozens of counts of misdemeanor and extreme animal cruelty. A decision on charges could come as early as today, Chief Deputy District Attorney Amy Orlando said.
A report of a dead horse covered by a tarp led authorities to the Boyse home. Vega said authorities actually found two dead horses on the property — one had been dead for about four days, the other for about 20 days. | Source: Las Cruces Sun -Aug 26, 2008
Update posted on Aug 27, 2008 - 9:44AM |
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