Arizona Woman Charged With 150 Animal Cruelty Charges

A Cochise County woman is facing close to 150 charges of animal abuse and cruelty.

56-year-old Jill Houchens was taken into custody on February 19, by Cochise County deputies for having reports surfaced of animals residing in unhygienic conditions within her residence in Hereford. The animals were found living in unsatisfactory conditions and there were also deceased ones discovered in a freezer.

Upon executing a search warrant at Houchens’ residence, law enforcement officers discovered numerous animals residing in enclosures that were “overflowing with excrement.” Furthermore, there was a lack of access to water and food for any of the animals.

A total of 24 animals were taken out from the residence, with five found to be deceased. Among them, eight animals needed immediate medical care.

According to the sheriff’s office, Ms. Houchens is known for running an animal rescue and offering pet sitting services in the vicinity of Cochise County.

Houchens was taken into custody and charged with a total of 27 felony counts and 119 misdemeanors for alleged acts of animal cruelty and neglect.