After animal control found a malnourished dog in Erie on Monday, witnesses reported the possibility of more being kept in similar conditions.

ERIE, Colo. — Two people were arrested on animal cruelty charges after police seized nearly 20 dogs, the majority of which looked to be “neglected and emaciated,” from an Erie residence. 

According to a release from the Erie Police Department, the case dates back to Monday, when officers received a report of a found dog in the 1300 block of Reliance Place. When an animal control officer arrived, they found the animal to be “severely malnourished and underweight, with minimal muscle definition,” the release said.

The dog, classified as a stray due to its lack of a collar and microchip, was taken to the Humane Society of Boulder for a veterinary evaluation, according to police. 

The release indicates that, during that first response, witnesses reported the possibility of more animals being kept in similar conditions. Upon further investigation, a search warrant was obtained for a residence near the location of the initial report. 


On Thursday, officers executed that search warrant and seized 18 dogs, most of which were “neglected and emaciated,” according to the release. Two people, 37-year-old Tiana Bell and 36-year-old Dandre Fears, were arrested after the search.

According to the release, Bell faces one count of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog and 19 counts of cruelty to animals. Fears is also facing 18 counts of cruelty to animals, police said.

Bell and Fears are being held at the Weld County Jail. 

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 303-441-4444 and reference case number 26-0044.