Multiple felony charges have been filed against Lori and Alan Manire in a massive animal cruelty case investigated by the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Two other people involved in the case, Corina James and Sheri Franklin, have also been charged with cruelty misdemeanors.When HSPPR launched an investigation on the Manire property in Rush in late November, 54 horses were found in a variety of medical conditions. During the month of December, officers seized 29 horses with medical problems related to their starved and emaciated conditions. Some horses were estimated to be up to 400 pounds underweight and others had respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, along with a number of other medical concerns. One horse was deceased.The Manires have been charged with seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 6 felony, and two charges of felony theft have been filed against them. Bond has been set at $50,000 each. The couple allegedly was running businesses involving horse transport, boarding and training.James has been charged with one count of misdemeanor cruelty for seriously neglecting the hooves of a horse she later allegedly gave to the Manires, and Franklin has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor cruelty for horses found on her property when the horses in the Manires’ care were being tracked to various locations in eastern El Paso County.”This is one of the most severe cruelty cases we have seen in the 56 years our organization has served the Pikes Peak Region,” said Dr. Wes Metzler, Executive Director for the humane society. The impounded horses recovered during about six weeks in foster care under the veterinary supervision of Dr. Joel Brubaker of Falcon Veterinary Services.The horses were adopted into loving homes, approved via home inspections, or returned to their rightful owners. “We were very pleased to see these horses successfully regain their good health and go into good homes,” Metzler said.The large-scale investigation involved cooperation among HSPPR, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the State Veterinarian’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection, which also seized 10 emaciated cattle in the investigation, and the State Animal Response Team. Pueblo Animal Services and Douglas County Animal Services also assisted with the impoundments.
