- Arizona, USA -
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 56-years-old JILL LEA HOUCHENS (pictured).
In a media release, the sheriff's office said that an investigation into HOUCHENS was launched on February 6, 2024, after receiving a report of animal cruelty at her residence.
According to the initial report, there were deceased animals inside a freezer as well as several live animals being kept in unsanitary conditions.
On February 9, 2024, officials executed a search warrant and once inside the residence, deputies and Animal Control Officers found several animals living in extremely poor conditions.
As stated in the release, the areas where the Voiceless Victims were being kept, were “filled with feces and there was no clean area for the animals to stand.”
There was little to no water available for any of the animals and no food left out.
In total, officials removed from the property twenty-four (24) animals, including five (5) dead ones. Eight of the rescued furvictims “required medical attention for several issues including but not limited to embedded nails, infections, and severe matting. “
The rescued animals are being held as evidence until this case is adjudicated.
On the afternoon of Monday, February 19, 2024, deputies arrested HOUCHENS, of Hereford, and booked her into the Cochise County Jail on twenty-seven (27) felony counts of Animal Cruelty/Neglect and one hundred and nineteen (119) misdemeanor counts of Animal Cruelty/Neglect.
According to the media release, HOUCHENS “has reportedly been known to operate an animal rescue and provide pet sitting services in and around Cochise County.”
AZ Central reports: “A spokesperson from the Sheriff's Office told The Arizona Republic that Jill Houchens was previously employed by the Cochise County Sherriff's Office but has not been employed by them for over six and a half years. They told The Arizona Republic she runs her own ‘rescue’ called Zoeys Ranch and pulls from Sierra Vista Shelter.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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HOUCHENS’ mugshot shared from the Cochise County Sheriff's Office
