HOMEOWNER CLAIMS NEIGHBORS "PICKING ON" HER
Vicki Rauch responds to search warrant service

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

DENVER -- While authorities said Tuesday that Vicki Rauch was being "somewhat" cooperative regarding the seizure of more than 100 animals from her Petite Lane residence, Rauch is speaking out about what she calls harrassment from her neighbors. The seizure, dubbed "Operation Noah's Ark" because of the rain moving through the area, brought together law enforcement, emergency service workers and volunteers to help care for the most innocent of victims, the animals.

Rauch has been one of two animal rescue operations at the center of lawsuits recently brought forth by Lincoln County leaders in the face of numerous complaints from residents that live around Rauch's residence and those that live around Tri County Animal Shelter, which is operated by Joann Hager.

"I'm the animal rescuer," said Rauch. "I've been taking in dogs for the past 20 years."

While the average person may not find anything wrong with Rauch rescuing animals, for the past two years the "rescuing" of her animals have been a nusiance to her neighbors.

Jamie Barnes allowed The Carolina Scoop access to his property, walking near the fence line that separates his property from the Rauch residence.

The smell was almost overpowering. According to Barnes, with the heavy rains moving through Lincoln Tuesday, "today was a light day."

Rauch said complaints like Barnes' have dogged her since she moved to Petite Lane.

"They have been trying everything they could do to harass me," said Rauch. "The neighbors have been complaining about the noise and smell."

The sheer number of volunteers helping investigators, along with the stress of the situation, caused Rauch's son to start hyperventalating. He had to be taken to the hospital by Medic.

Rauch's property was inspected by the state two weeks ago. Investigators found animals either without shelter or inadequate shelter; little or no food; and water was either overgrown with algea or brown.

The dogs she "rescued" were given to another shelter. But Rauch didn't have anything to say about the other pets that were outside -- and inside -- her residence. Investigators estimated there were up to 50 pets inside her residence including cats and Chiahuahua dogs.

Rauch feels like she's being singled out by law enforcement and government in Lincoln County.

"I'm being punished for taking in dogs," said Rauch.

Animal services director Jack Kerley disagreed wtih Rauch's sentiment.

"She didn't take care of the animals for whatever reason," said Kerley. "That fact is supported by state inspectors."

Neighbor Vickie Rogers was so happy, she actually cried while watching the scene unfold outside Rauch's house.

"Rauch told me when she moved in that she didn't care about the law," said Rogers. "All she cared about was taking care of the animals."

The animals will be cared for in an undisclosed location, where a mobile kennel will be set-up in an 80,000 square-foot building. A mobile vet will also treat the animals, according to Kerley.

Kerley said the seizure of the animals Tuesday in "Operation Noah's Ark" points to a larger problem as more people move from rural areas to more urban areas.

"As more people move into urban areas, we'll see more animal neglect," said Kerley.

Kerley couldn't put a dollar figure on the cost of the operation; however, he told reporters the state animal control and Lincoln County Emergency Management.

Kerley said he also spoke to Rauch at the beginning of the search warrant service.

"I've told her we're trying to assist her," said Kerley. "She's being pretty much cooperative."

It's the second animal seizure in a couple of weeks in Lincoln County. Recently, animal services seized more than 10 dogs that had been abandoned after a tenant moved out of a rental house, leaving the dogs to starve. That tenant was charged wtih animal cruelty.