Young woman’s terrible secret was revealed by landscapers who were disgusted of what they saw on her ranch, then police took control

In a deeply troubling case that has captured the attention of authorities, a young woman faces serious charges after dozens of deceased animals were found on her property. The discovery, stemming from a citizen complaint, sheds light on an alarming situation involving the neglect and mistreatment of both livestock and non-livestock animals.

A 22-year-old woman was recently taken into custody after the reported discovery of numerous deceased animals, including 12 horses and 24 dogs, on her property. Official records state that 22-year-old Rachel A. S. faces charges of cruelty towards both non-livestock and livestock animals.

The Sheriff’s Office initiated the investigation following a “citizen complaint,” which was submitted by landscapers working at the property. As a result of this complaint and subsequent preliminary investigations, a warrant was executed on Aug. 1 for “the retrieval of all living animals” from her property situated on Graybill Road.

Upon execution of this warrant, the statement from the sheriff’s office confirmed the seizure of various animals: two dogs, two horses, one cow, one lizard, and one snake. These animals were subsequently handed over to Animal Services for proper care. However, during this operation, officials also found the remains of 12 horses and 24 dogs, all of which were in significant states of decomposition.

In a deeper investigation, a report from a news outlet revealed that the land in question is owned by Rachel’s grandparents. An affidavit from the said station indicated that these grandparents, due to their age-related mobility constraints, believed that Rachel was adequately tending to the animals on the ranch. Contrary to this belief, the investigators on-site noted the absence of essential provisions like food and water near a deceased dog’s cage, located proximate to the grandparents’ residence.

While the grandparents inhabited the primary house on this property, Rachel resided in a parked RV nearby. The search further led to the grim discovery of 23 more dogs, many of which were confined in unfavorable conditions. Moreover, 12 horses in various stages of decomposition were identified.

During an official interview, Rachel said that the animals were under her late husband’s care, who had passed away roughly three weeks prior to this incident. While acknowledging her subsequent responsibility, she attributed her neglect to severe depression after his death. Notably, historical data indicates that since 2019, there have been at least 16 animal cruelty-related reports associated with this property.

One of the reporting landscapers described the property’s condition as having an overwhelming presence of “skeletons everywhere” and an unmistakable smell indicative of the tragic circumstances.

As of now, Rachel remains detained at the county jail, with a bail amount set at $85,000.

The sheriff’s office emphasized their commitment to the welfare of all animals within the county. They reasserted their unwavering policy against any form of animal cruelty or abandonment.