by: Talya Cunningham
Posted: Mar 15, 2022 / 10:50 PM MDT
Updated: Mar 15, 2022 / 10:50 PM MDT
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https://kdvr.com/news/local/animal-activist-faces-animal-cruelty-charges/
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A self-proclaimed animal activist who served on the state veterinary board is now facing animal cruelty charges.
Ellen Kessler was appointed to the State Veterinary Board by Gov. Jared Polis but resigned earlier this year after writing an offensive Facebook post that called ranchers “nasty” and “lazy.” She’s now in the hot seat again after a shocking discovery at her home.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said that discovery was made last week and included 13 birds living in very poor conditions, mice, and flies throughout her home. The office was tipped off after a friend visited Kessler on March 7 and reported multiple birds in poor condition.
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Animal Control officers then visited Kessler’s home on Blacktail Mountain and found cockatiels, doves and finches living in the basement with food and water but no sunlight. They also discovered cages and the floors covered in seed, dirt and feces and called the pungent smell of urine overwhelming.Officials support new name for Mount Evans
Officers found mice in the basement; some were scurrying around alive while others were dead. They also reported flies buzzing throughout the home. Concerned for the animals, officers told Kessler they needed care and to be checked out at a veterinary hospital. Unfortunately, two birds died at the vet hospital.
“It’s a difficult case,” said Joan Thielen with Foothills Animal Shelter. “It is difficult to see these animals experiencing that kind of stress. They did require urgent veterinary care.”
Thielen said three of the birds were adopted by staff at the vet hospital and eight of the birds were transported to the Foothills Animal Shelter on Tuesday. Thielen said they are happy to take them in at their shelter.
“We received six cockatiels, a finch and then one additional bird,” Thielen said. “The birds are in decent condition here now. They are stable after spending a week at a veterinary hospital, but we still need to evaluate them and determine what the next steps are.”
Thielen said the eight birds are being evaluated and will hopefully be up for adoption soon.Family of teen shot in back asking Denver DA to reconsider murder charges
The sheriff’s office told FOX31 the birds will not be returning to Kessler’s home, and she was given resources to places that could help fund and clean her home. They say she was also given information on what would need to be done for her to have appropriate living conditions for animals.
This incident is turning heads, as Kessler is an animal activist who is now facing 13 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. The sheriff’s office said there’s no indication that any other animals are currently living in the house.
FOX31 reached out to Kessler for comment who stated via email, “I have no comment at this time.”
Kessler has a court hearing scheduled for May 23.
Exposing the Big Game 
Reblogged this on Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting Blog.
To be fair, ranchers ARE nasty and lazy, and ALL of the animals ranchers “care for” also die violently and horrifically, but nobody will define them in an implied-inflammatory “animal activist” designation. This is disgusting, though, I wonder if she’s a hoarder; it’s very sad animals suffered and died, it’s inexcusable behaviour from anyone.
Agreed.
I agree with Stacey about ranchers–who get a slap on the wrist or less, with charges of their own “animal cruelty” –not to mention the horrendous suffering of millions of wildlife because of the livestock industry’s demands of “predator control” programs across the country. I, too, wonder if this woman may have hoarding issues, besides the many emotional stressors over years related to “animal activism.” Hope she can get the help she needs.
I wholeheartedly agree with Stacey and Rosemary about the Animal- exploiters called “ranchers”,their extinction ASAP would be a blessing to all of us on this planet.🤬
It does sound like Ms. Kessler originally had good intentions but got in over her head.
I have seen this many times; a lot of people who genuinely care about Animals cant stop themselves from ” rescuing” more and more and more. And sadly are encouraged through guilt to do so by other people.
Its also our society/culture’s fault for allowing
” breeders” to keep on bringing more Animals into an already overcrowded world.
Thank you, Sirius for those wise words. As our world enters more dangerous, uncertain times, may some of us stay strong and dedicated to the cause for those innocents.