An Oxford woman has been charged with 41 counts of cruelty to animals two months after officials seized malnourished animals from her property.
Karen Desrosiers, 46, was charged on Wednesday and turned herself in to state police after learning there was warrant for her arrest, according to a news release from state police.
Officials began investigating when the Oxford Animal Control received a complaint about a roaming animal on Feb. 20, according to state police.
A search warrant issued for the property in February says horses and donkeys had badly overgrown hooves and skin conditions and no water. No hay and little animal feed was seen on the property, which was littered with construction equipment and old cars, according to state police, and one horse appeared to have wounds and injuries, though officials could not determine how they occurred.
Four dogs, a cat, a horse, a donkey and a pig were seized from Desrosiers’ home in February.
Police said the animals, including two miniature horses, a goat and 18 chickens, were kept in cages and corrals around the property.
Desrosiers was released after posting a $5,000 non-surety bond.
Officials from the state Department of Agriculture said Santana, the large horse, is still recouping and has a very long road ahead.
Several other animals are OK and have been placed into homes.
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