Emaciated horses owner says she couldn’t get access to feed animals

The woman from Calhan who has been charged with animal cruelty is speaking out.

Alison Dixon met with KRDO outside the Pikes Peak Humane Society. She was dropping off a rooster she found on her property, hoping to get it out from the cold.

Dixon is facing two charges of animal cruelty. Over the weekend, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office seized her two horses, Moses and Shofar, from her ranch.

She says, “to be accused of being the one that did that… I’ve never harmed an animal, my hand to God, in my life.”

Dixon claims she hasn’t had access to the two horses in the last few months.

She started renting her property back in October to a family who told her they’d take care of the horses and when she tried to check on them, the tenants wouldn’t let her on the property.

Their lease agreement was hand-written and didn’t specify much more than the rent. Per Colorado law, unless a lease agreement specifies when an owner can visit the property, they can’t visit without permission.

Dixon said, “I was told that if I cross the fence line, I would be arrested, so I was like what am I supposed to do? I don’t want to go to jail. I mean… I don’t know.”

Whether she’s responsible or not, Alison Dixon is the owner of both the property and the horses, therefore leaving the responsibility of their well-being on her.

She says her biggest mistake was renting her property to someone she didn’t know very well.

“I didn’t do my due diligence that’s for sure and I take responsibility for that. I lead with my heart, not with my mind,” Dixon explains.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says the case is under investigation, but Dixon will have a chance to present her case through the judicial system.

The horses are currently in possession of the county. The family has left the property, now allowing Dixon a chance to return.