Over 150 Animals in Colorado Found in Alleged Cruel Conditions

Animal cruelty is a serious crime in Colorado, and a woman in Delta County has recently been charged with just that after over 150 animals in her care were found to have been living in improper conditions.

Animals Found in Poor Conditions on Colorado Residential Property

On February 5, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant that was issued upon a residential property in Delta County, Colorado, to investigate numerous alleged cases of improper care for animals that were living there.

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Organizations that were dispatched include the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Humane Colorado, and High Country Environmental Grazing.

Upon arriving at the scene, these organizations discovered a plethora of animals that were living at the residence, as well as the remains of multiple animals that had previously passed away. The animals ranged from being considered livestock to pets.

The animals were found to have been neglected and living in poor, often unsanitary conditions, with many not having proper access to food and sanitary drinking water.

Some of the animals that were discovered in these conditions include what appeared to be a pony with overgrown hooves, some type of white bird, possibly a duck or a goose, with what could possibly be a growth on its foot, a small white goat with matted hair, and a large white dog that resembles a Great Pyrenees.

Colorado Woman Charged with Multiple Counts of Cruelty to Animals

Over 150 animals were rescued from the residence and immediately given veterinarian care, and the owner of the neglected animals, 40-year-old Mikaela Rivas, has been charged with 141 counts of cruelty to animals. However, the Delta County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and has stated that it’s possible that more charges could be added.

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Check out the full story from KDVR here.