Former sheriff's employee running 'rescue shelter' faces nearly 150 abuse charges after multiple animals found in her freezer

Jill L. Houches (Conchise County Sheriff’s Office)

A 56-year-old woman in Arizona who claimed to be running an animal rescue shelter is facing nearly 150 criminal charges after authorities say they seized more than 20 severely neglected animals from her home — five of which were already deceased — because they were living in “significantly unsanitary conditions.” Jill L. Houchens was taken into custody last week and charged with 27 felonies and 119 misdemeanor criminal counts relating to her treatment of the animals in her care, authorities announced.

According to a news release from the Conchise County Sheriff’s Office, deputies on Feb. 6, 2024, responded to a report about alleged animal cruelty taking place at Houchens’ residence in Sierra Vista, which is about 200 miles northwest of Phoenix.

“The initial report indicated that several animals were on the property and significant unsanitary conditions inside and outside of the home as well as reports of deceased animals inside of a freezer in the home,” the release states. “During the course of the investigation a search warrant was served at the home on February 9, 2024. Animal Control Officers and Deputies made entry to the residence and discovered several neglected animals living in extremely poor conditions. The areas where animals were kept was filled with feces and there was no clean area for the animals to stand.”

Authorities also noted that there was “little to no water available for any of the animals” and said that Houchens left “no food out” for them to eat.

“There was a total of 24 animals removed from the property, including 5 deceased, while 8 animals required medical attention for several issues including but not limited to embedded nails, infections, and severe matting,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “All nineteen alive animals are currently being held as evidence until this case is adjudicated.”

Authorities said that Houches was known around the community as being the operator of an “animal rescue” that also provided “pet sitting services” throughout the county.

Additionally, the Conchise County Sheriff’s Office reportedly confirmed to The Arizona Republic that Houches had previously been an employee of their agency, but had ended her tenure with the office more than six years before her arrest.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that the investigation into the alleged wrongdoing remained ongoing.

“It’s still an ongoing investigation,” agency spokesperson Carol Capas reportedly told the Sierra Vista Herald. “There’s just a significant number of charges, and the number of animals taken from the residence I think is an important factor. And it’s going to be quite an in depth investigation because of that.”

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