Horse advocacy group forms in wake of animal abuse cases

A Black Forest horse owner accused of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect pleaded not guilty Wednesday, but a group concerned about the welfare of animals in Colorado said animal abuse and neglect need to be taken more seriously.

“These cases get reported and once they’ve been reported, we need to move forward with enforcing the law. That’s what we hope to have a voice for,” said Anna Blake, founder of Colorado Horse Advocates.

She said Brunzell’s case, and an instance in Calhan where 20 horses were found with insufficient water, is a disturbing trend.

“Starting next year, the FBI has changed animal abuse to a class A felony. That’s the same level as murder or assault or anything else. So we hope to see these reports taken really seriously,” Blake said.

Brunzell was silent in court Wednesday, speaking only two words when the judge asked for her plea: “Not guilty.”

Because of a gag order on the case, little information will be available until the trial comes to an end.

As for Brunzell’s horses, the owners of the ranch where they’re staying won’t comment because of the gag order.

But a source told KRDO Newschannel 13 that they are doing very well.

The fact that Brunzell’s case is going before a jury gives Blake hope that a trend in animal abuse could turn around.

“I’m really optimistic about the trial, because this is a case where it was well documented,” she said.

Brunzell has another pretrial hearing set for Feb. 13.