A Cochise County woman was arrested Monday on 146 counts of animal cruelty and abandonment, according to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.
Jill Houchens, 56, was arrested on 27 felonies and 119 misdemeanors, officials said. A total of 24 animals were removed from her home, five of which died and several who required medical treatment, the sheriff's office said.
Houchens is reportedly known for operating an animal rescue and pet sitting business for people in and around Cochise County, officials said.
A sheriff's office spokesperson told The Arizona Republic that Jill Houchens was previously employed by the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, but has not been employed in more than 6 1/2 years. They told The Arizona Republic that she runs her own “'rescue' called Zoe's Ranch” and does “evacuations from the Sierra Vista Shelter.”
The sheriff's office began an investigation on Feb. 6 after receiving reports of animal abuse at the Houchens residence. Initial reports indicated there were several animals on the property and “significant unsanitary conditions” both inside and outside the home, the sheriff's office said.
Animal control officers and sheriff's deputies executed the warrant on Feb. 9, officials said. When authorities entered the home, they found several abandoned animals living in poor conditions. Officials said the area where the animals were kept was filled with feces and there was no clean place for the animals to stand. There was little water left and no food.
Initial reports also indicated there was a dead animal inside the freezer.
The investigation was still ongoing as of Thursday, the sheriff's office said.
Chandler was also charged with five counts of animal cruelty, 55 counts of animal cruelty, and one count of abuse of a vulnerable adult for a serious animal cruelty incident at April McLaughlin's home in 2023.
In 2023, Arizona Humane Society received the most calls for services related to animal abuse, reflecting a 22% increase in calls for service and a 21% increase in investigations compared to 2022.
