Read more: Local, Crime, Strange, Hoarder, Peyton, Norma Scott, Dogs, Rifle, Animals
PEYTON, COLO. -- El Paso County sheriff's deputies investigating an animal hoarder were met with rifles Friday afternoon. It happened about one mile southeast of Peyton.
Deputies were asked to check on the welfare of dozens of dogs at a property.
When they got there an elderly woman shoved a rifle in a deputy's face. No shots were fired and the deputy was able to talk the woman down.
Now the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) is trying to rescue all of the dogs.
Deputies say there were four women living at the property along with three to four dozen dogs.
The restraint of a lone deputy kept this from becoming an officer-involved shooting.
The property is off McClelland and Scott Road near Peyton. It's littered with junk vehicles, abandoned trailers and lots of animals.
But when deputies came to the property Friday to check on the animals things escalated quickly.
"They were met at the door by a woman with a rifle. Our officer retreated," said El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Teresa Murphy.
Investigators say instead of using deadly force the deputy talked his way out of the situation.
"Our officer used great restraint. He did have a civilian rider with him so his main concern at that point was the safety of the civilian," said Murphy.
At the same time deputies say two other women stuffed as many dogs as they could into a vehicle and took off. Deputies caught them at the back of the property trying to cut through a fence.
"They were not wanting the animals confiscated. They were protecting their animals,” Murphy said.
FOX21 News counted six rifles and a revolver being taken out of the home.
Officers estimate there are 30 to 50 dogs on the property along with an untold number of horses, cattle pigs and rabbits.
"It does appear to be a hoarder situation," Murphy said.
Now HSPPR is trying to deal with the animals. But there are so many staff has had to call in private rescue organizations to help take in the animals.
It's not clear if any of the dogs are in good enough shape to be adopted.
Norma Scott, 71, is in the county jail facing felony menacing charges.
