Two In Conejos County Face Animal Abuse Charges

Two Conejos County residents each face 65 charges related to animal abuse.

34-year-old Kristina Kremer of Sanford, and 53-year-old William Barter of Conejos appeared in a Conejos County court Tuesday to hear the charges against them.

A multi-agency investigation began in June after complaints of several horses illegally grazing and destroying crops on private property. Investigation showed that Kremer owned the animals and Barter acted as the caretaker of the animals on Kremer’s property. The animals were in visibly poor health and showed signs of neglect.

The Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Protection, the Colorado State Patrol, and the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office collaborated to determine the criminal violations.

On November 4, officials seized 32 horses that wandered onto a neighboring ranch.

The impounded horses will be moved to the Colorado Humane Society in Franktown; after examination and treatment, qualifying horses will be placed for adoption or with a reputable animal rescue facility. The investigation also led to the execution of a search warrant on Kremer’s property. As a result, four horses, a bull, a cow and a calf were seized. Additional charges are possible.

Charges against the duo include criminal mischief, a class-four felony, and animal cruelty, a class-one misdemeanor.