RUSH COUNTY— The Rush County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a cruelty to animals investigation Wednesday. Deputies responded to an initial report of a firearm being stolen from a residence in La Crosse, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.
During the investigation, the firearm was found inside the residence. Deputies observed poor living conditions in the residence, many animals in the residence, as well as other factors in the residence that led to probable cause to arrest both residents.
A search warrant was secured and upon searching the residence, 54 live animals were removed from the residence and placement was found for each animal in six separate facilities.
The Rush County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by a veterinarian on scene, as well as three Animal Control Officers from the Hutchinson Kansas Animal Control.
Without their assistance, it would have been difficult to determine the needs of each animal to properly place them. The initial deputies finished the investigation, working approximately 44 hours in the last 48 hours to make sure their duties were complete and every animal was safe.
They were also assisted by the rest of the patrol team, not being on duty, who worked approximately nineteen hours, with minimal sleep beforehand, to make sure all duties were complete and all animals were safe. This is an ongoing criminal investigation.