The trial of a Colorado quarter horse breeder accused of animal cruelty has been delayed. Sherri Brunzell appeared in court on Friday for a pre-trial conference.
Brunzell’s defense attorney Andrew Bryant notified the court he would not be ready for the up-coming February 24th trial. Brunzell is charged with cruelty to animals, a class one misdemeanor. Brunzell pleaded not guilty in December.
Ten Quarter Horses and four llamas owned by Brunzell were found living in a crypt containing the decomposing remains of their former stable mates in September 2014. Fourteen horses were found in various stages of decay in a building leased by Brunzell. Living among the stench of death and toxic lye were four mares and six stallions, including the legendary cutting horse stallion, Dual Peppy.
The surviving horses were seized and are being cared for by rescue groups. Brunzell has continued paying the monthly court ordered payments of $5400 for the animals’ care. No additional information is available due to a gag order issued by Judge Stephen Sletta in late October.
Judge Sletta scheduled Brunzell’s trial date for May 26th.
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