84 Animal Cruelty Counts Filed Against Colorado Horse Owner

A Montrose County, Colorado, man is facing 84 misdemeanor counts of  animal cruelty after authorities seized nearly 80 horses and several other animals from his property earlier this summer. He has strongly disputed the allegations.

According to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, the case began when deputies received two separate reports of dead horses on the rural property of Scott W. Flores, 61, in late May and mid-June. Following those reports, an animal control officer photographed conditions on the property and contacted the Bureau of Animal Protection, part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Investigators with BAP obtained an administrative search warrant on June 19. A second warrant was executed on July 3, when veterinarians, BAP investigators, and MCSO personnel entered the property. Authorities reported that 79 horses, four dogs, and one goat were removed for further evaluation and taken to a state holding facility.

Humane Colorado, a nonprofit assisting in the aftermath, has said that many of the horses required urgent medical care and showed signs of neglect, including untreated injuries, infections, and overgrown hooves.

According to local TV station KKCO, based on veterinarians’ evaluations, Flores was issued a summons on August 11 related to 84 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Each count carries a possible penalty of up to 365 days in jail and fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. MCSO officials have explained that the charges were filed as misdemeanors under state law because, in their view, the injuries and conditions did not meet the statutory threshold for felony charges.

On Monday, The Daily Sentinel noted that the owner has disputed the allegations. In a civil filing submitted July 15, before he was formally cited, he argued that he had only ever received one warrant and that his animals were standing in hay with sufficient water at the time of the seizure. He also stated he was not informed of where his horses were taken and requested their return.

Court documents show that Judge Laura Harvell later upheld the seizure, finding that the warrant provided prima facie evidence justifying impoundment. She also ruled that Flores must pay more than $31,000 to cover the cost of caring for the seized horses for 30 days.



Montrose County Undersheriff George Jackson has acknowledged the difficulty of such cases, citing the large number of animals and the need for expert evaluations. Jackson told reporters that while it can be frustrating for community members who report suspected neglect, investigators must follow Colorado law and ensure evidence is sufficient before acting.

“I’m definitely concerned about it. I’m an animal lover, too,” Jackson said.  

Flores is scheduled to appear in Montrose County Court on September 15, 2025. The animals remain in the custody of the Bureau of Animal Protection while their long-term care and possible placement are determined.

The case marks the second large-scale animal cruelty investigation in Montrose County this year, following unrelated felony charges filed in July against another livestock owner. Authorities have said both cases highlight the importance of public reporting when animal welfare concerns arise.