JILL LEA HOUCHENS arrested on 146 animal cruelty/neglect charges - Dead animals found in a freezer

- Arizona, USA -

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 56-years-old JILL LEA HOUCHENS (pictured).

In a media release, the sheriff's office said that an investigation into HOUCHENS was launched on February 6, 2024, after receiving a report of animal cruelty at her residence.

According to the initial report, there were deceased animals inside a freezer as well as several live animals being kept in unsanitary conditions.

On February 9, 2024, officials executed a search warrant and once inside the residence, deputies and Animal Control Officers found several animals living in extremely poor conditions.

As stated in the release, the areas where the Voiceless Victims were being kept, were “filled with feces and there was no clean area for the animals to stand.”

There was little to no water available for any of the animals and no food left out. 

In total, officials removed from the property twenty-four (24) animals, including five (5) dead ones. Eight of the rescued furvictims “required medical attention for several issues including but not limited to embedded nails, infections, and severe matting. “

The rescued animals are being held as evidence until this case is adjudicated.

On the afternoon of Monday, February 19, 2024, deputies arrested HOUCHENS, of Hereford, and booked her into the Cochise County Jail on twenty-seven (27) felony counts of Animal Cruelty/Neglect and one hundred and nineteen (119) misdemeanor counts of Animal Cruelty/Neglect.   

According to the media release, HOUCHENS “has reportedly been known to operate an animal rescue and provide pet sitting services in and around Cochise County.” 

AZ Central reports: “A spokesperson from the Sheriff's Office told The Arizona Republic that Jill Houchens was previously employed by the Cochise County Sherriff's Office but has not been employed by them for over six and a half years. They told The Arizona Republic she runs her own ‘rescue’ called Zoeys Ranch and pulls from Sierra Vista Shelter.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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HOUCHENS’ mugshot shared from the Cochise County Sheriff's Office

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RAQUEL MARIE MERCADO-SEPULVEDA, a Tucson OB-GYN, accused of performing illegal surgeries on dogs

- Arizona, USA -

Following a years-long investigation into animal cruelty, the Pima County Sheriff's Department arrested 42-years-old DR. RAQUEL MARIE MERCADO-SEPULVEDA (pictured).

A press release by the Department and obtained by Voice For Us, stated that it all started on November 15, 2022, when Pima County Animal Care Center (PCACC) received a tip regarding “alleged activities of Dr. Mercado-Sepulveda performing unlicensed and illegal surgeries on dogs”, including C-sections.

According to the Statement of Probable Cause obtained by Voice For Us, on March 14, 2023, PCACC received a report from VCA Animal Hospital regarding a French Bulldog named Kamari who had been brought in. VCA told PCACC that Kamari had signs that she had undergone a botched C-section and that the surgery was performed by Bully City Kennels, which investigators knew to be associated with MERCADO-SEPULVEDA.

Kamari's guardians were identified as Kaleb and Monica.

According to the Statement of Probable Cause, Monica took Kamari to VCA because she was not feeling well. Investigators then responded to VCA and interviewed Monica who “denied having detailed knowledge of the surgery.”

However, when MERCADO-SEPULVEDA’s phone was confiscated in a subsequent warrant, investigators learned that Kaleb was texting MERCADO-SEPULVEDA while Monica was at the vet inquiring which medications were used on Kamari and MERCADO-SEPULVEDA mentioned the ones she used.

In a subsequent statement, Monica contradicted herself and said that the surgery on Kamari was performed in Mexico. Later it was discovered that MERCADO-SEPULVEDA told Kaleb to say that the surgery on Kamari had been performed in Mexico. When  MERCADO-SEPULVEDA admitted to seeing Kamari, she said it was for nausea and denied performing the C-section.

On March 14, 2024, a search warrant was served at MERCADO-SEPULVEDA’s residence and her medical office. Authorities confiscated evidence and removed thirty-six dogs and two cats.

As the investigation progressed, on January 17, and 18, 2024, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department served search warrants at multiple locations and on January 18, MERCADO-SEPULVEDA was taken into custody at her office near North Wilmot Road and East Carondelet Drive on felony animal cruelty charges.

Investigators confiscated additional evidence, and from MERCADO-SEPULVEDA’s residence they removed fourteen dogs and three rabbits.

PCACC took custody of Kamari to be properly cared for. A vet reported that Kamari had not even been “shaved at the incision site which is not standard practice.”

KGUN reports that according to the University of Arizona's website, MERCADO-SEPULVEDA is apparently affiliated as a Faculty Physician with the College of Medicine Tucson Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department advised that this investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow.

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MERCADO-SEPULVEDA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Prima County Sheriff’s Department.

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AMBRIA RENEE GARCIA arrested for burning the family dog alive in a firepit killing the furbaby

- Arizona, USA -

The Maricopa Police Department arrested 39-years-old AMBRIA RENEE GARCIA (pictured) for setting the family dog on fire resulting in the furbaby’s death.

On December 7, 2023, police were called to a home on West Rhinestone Road in Cobblestone Farms in reference to an animal cruelty report.

GARCIA’s husband reported seeing on security camera his wife putting their dog, a 5-year-old female Shih Tzu named Missy, in a firepit and lighting her on fire.

Responding officers found GARCIA on the roadside nearby.

According to court documents, GARCIA admitted to killing Missy and claimed that in the past Missy had bitten her and her children. GARCIA said Missy was a “possessed rat.”

GARCIA went on to tell investigators that she wanted to prevent Missy from hurting anyone else and “needed to handle this problem as soon as possible.”

Investigators found the charred furbaby in the firepit and next to it was a gasoline container.

GARCIA admitted to investigators to pouring gasoline on Missy before lighting her up while she was still alive. GARCIA also told investigator that Missy emitted a hissing sound and GARCIA believed “a demon had been released.”

Police said Missy died in a matter of seconds.

GARCIA’s husband provided investigators with footage from their surveillance cameras which showed GARCIA dancing and laughing around the firepit.

GARCIA was arrested on Thursday, December 12, 2023, and booked into the Pinal County Jail on one felony count of animal cruelty.

If Missy had been a person, GARCIA would be facing murder charges. So much still needs to be done when it comes to animal welfare and animal laws, beginning with the way crimes are called! The killing of an animal is MURDER and the MURDERER must be sentenced to life behind bars!

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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

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GARCIA’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional Source:

Arizona’s Family

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