[Romobencience]

From left, April Patrick and Rob Shank, of Cheyenne Animal Control, and detective Bill Thomas, of the sheriff's department, count the number of dogs in cages during a seizure of more than 50 animals at a residence on County Road 206 in Carpenter on Wednesday. AAron Ontiveroz/staff
CARPENTER -- A rural animal rescue facility northwest of here had 93 dogs, 17 cats and several pet rabbits confiscated Wednesday afternoon because officials say they were in crowded and unsanitary conditions.

Sheriff's deputies arrested Marci Biesheuvel, 50, after she allegedly refused to allow them into her residence at 4765 County Road 206 on a search warrant.

The warrant was issued in response to a complaint from a prospective customer who visited the non-profit that Biesheuvel operates there, Litl' Bit of Love Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.

Rob Shank, shelter manager at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, said there were 45 dogs living inside the manufactured home, and more were living in outdoor kennels.

Officers at the site said the house floor, where Biesheuvel lived, was littered with feces. A foul odor from the house could be detected about 20 feet away.

The dogs, cats and rabbits will be examined at the shelter and kept there in protective custody at least until the case is resolved. Aside from the misdemeanor obstruction charge, other charges have not been proposed yet in connection to the animal case.

Biesheuvel had dozens of dogs of various breeds listed on Petfinder.com as available for adoption Wednesday. There also were several cats, goats and two donkeys.

Several individual entries on the site were checked, and they said the animals were fixed and were up to date on their shots.

The property is about 40 acres with fences, a manufactured home and outbuildings.

Law enforcement officers with the Wyoming Livestock Board also were at the scene to check the dozens of horses and other livestock on the property. They said these animals were adequately fed and watered, so they could stay put.

Jimmy Dean Siler, a livestock law enforcement administrator, was on the property and was familiar with Biesheuvel. He had checked out past complaints about the animals' welfare, as well as reports of their escape. He also has done spot checks on the property.

Siler said he has seen as many as 40 horses kept there, along with emus, llamas, geese, rabbits, donkeys and goats.

"You name it," he said.

He said the state agency had never ended up confiscating her animals, but Wyoming statute is very general about the treatment of livestock, he said.

"Adequate food, adequate water, windbreak -- that's it," he said. The law gives no specifics on, say, the type or quality of food.

"(Biesheuvel) does attempt to follow the rules," Siler said.

And she's always been "extremely cooperative," he added.

---------- Post added at 07:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 AM ----------

I know this woman very well. She may have had too many dogs on her hands but they were all well cared for. All are up to date on all shots and recieve any and all necessary medical care. The Cheyenne Animal Shelter and her do not get along at all. They are always trying to run off the competition and get more money. Its all about the money not the animals welfare. Marci has a pit bull mix that is very people friendly but very dog aggressive that wont make it if she doesnt get him back. I wanted to know everyone's thoughts on the matter?

---------- Post added at 07:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 AM ----------

O I also gave her one of my horses. She gives everything the right food water and medical care. He cut his knee last week and is being pretty babied over it. When I pulled into the drive that day and saw them taking all of her animals it was all I could do not to kick scream and cry.

[ImmitsRom]

Its always a bit sadder to me then supposed rescues are actually havens for abuse. Whats a sad situation. Im glad someone took the time to report them or who knows how many more would have been hurt and abused.

[Desflahd]

not sure from the info in the article whether this place should have been dealt with in the fashion it was... but that is a large number of animals and a lot of work for one person to do.... and it sounded like she does it all on her own...
your personal experience with this place does make one wonder why the government folks got involved at all.... from what the article said she followed all state rules and they had received one complaint from a prospective customer.... if you are following the rules, what does a complaint mean....
she should however have let them in when they presented the search warrant... that I am sure pissed them off and made them more likely to take the animals... now they were in the "find something wrong mode", instead of the lets see if there is something wrong mode...

[Romobencience]

She does have kids and volunteers that help her out alot but she does have alot of animals. None were abused or neglected, she just cant say no to any abled dog in need. cheyenne likes any story they can get and so do some of the cops, not all of the cops I know alot of them. My mom knows one of the sheriffs that was there really well and he will do anything to make his "head bigger".

[Romobencience]

I agree she had more than she could handle. What irritates me is the way they went about everything. They arrest her then take all of ther dogs. Only some of the cats and dogs needed to be taken.

[ancexiaepidge]

Maybe she took on more than she could handle.....her heart was in the right place but she possibly got overwhelmed?

With out seeing it for myself, that is my take on it. I think taking her to jail was a bit much and no reason for that.

That is a lot of animals to care for, especially if you have to work too, not sure her situation.

I work 40 hours a week and it takes all my spare time just to care the dogs I have. They need a full time maid!

Not to mention adding cats, rabbits, and livestock. Horses are a lot of work too.

Picking up poop with that many dogs would be a full time job in itself!

[IdomeoreTew]

With out seeing it for myself, that is my take on it. I think taking her to jail was a bit much and no reason for that.

i agree. if all the animals were cared for, but things just got out of hand, couldn't they just take a portion of the animals and give her a limit on how many to have, so that it didn't get overwhelming again?

[Lapsinuibense]

Please beware of anyone that calls themselves a "rescue". WE know that, but the general public is turning animals over to benevolent-sounding "rescues" everyday. TELL people the horror their dogs most likely end up in when they go to "rescue".

I've seen these. The people are well-meaning. But the dogs themselves are not important....it's how important THEY (the people) feel for "rescuing".

Carla

[AndrewBoss]

If she was arrested for obstruction for not allowing the warrant to be executed, how many dogs and cats should they have left behind while she was in jail?

I hope it all works out the way it should. Knowing how slanted reporting has become, I just never assume anything anymore.

[Romobencience]

She has lots of help and people are always there to help when she is away. I only live one dirt road up from her.

[deermealec]

Please beware of anyone that calls themselves a "rescue". WE know that, but the general public is turning animals over to benevolent-sounding "rescues" everyday. TELL people the horror their dogs most likely end up in when they go to "rescue".

I've seen these. The people are well-meaning. But the dogs themselves are not important....it's how important THEY (the people) feel for "rescuing".

Carla

How about tell people to do their research on Rescues instead of "the horror their dogs most likely end up in when they go to "rescue"." That seems like a major generalization. Yes, we have bad rescue individuals/groups but we have a lot of good too. Same can be said about the Breeders, Shelters, Sanctuaries, etc... We have good and bad no matter where we turn and that's why it's of the utmost importance to do your Research and to stop being Ignorant.

[IdomeoreTew]

How about tell people to do their research on Rescues instead of "the horror their dogs most likely end up in when they go to "rescue"." That seems like a major generalization. .

true. there are a lot of good and bad of both.