Greeley woman: Dogs mistreated; Owner, officials: They're just fine

[Global Paw]

A rural Greeley woman who was arrested last weekend by sheriff's deputies said she was trying to rescue dogs because of mistreatment.


But the owners of the 13 pit bulls that were taken said the dogs have been treated well.


And such is the saga of the pit bulls of Nunn, in what has become a morass of accusations and counter-accusations.


Cindy Meeker, who lives northeast of Greeley on Weld County Road 64, said she believes the 13 dogs were being trained for fighting and had been mistreated. So last Thursday, she and four friends went


to the farm northwest of Nunn and took custody of the dogs.


However, Weld County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Margie Martinez said the animal control officers had checked


the dogs in the weeks before and found no evidence of fighting or mistreatment. "None of the dogs had scars or were underfed," Martinez said. "They just didn't look like fighting dogs."


Meeker operates as an all-breed dog rescuer and felt she didn't need the owner's permission to take the dogs to what she believes was a safer place -- her own kennel.


But dog owners Tom and Rita Stalnaker of Pierce and Weld sheriff's deputies disagreed. Meeker was arrested for investigation of felony theft.


Stalnakers said they raise the pit bulls for sale, getting as much as $1,500 for a purebred puppy. Tom Stalnaker also said he entered one of the dogs in a pulling competition a couple of weeks ago.


In addition, the owner of the farm where the Stalnakers kept the dogs, Judy Hobart, said she had nothing to do with the dogs or the alleged rescue. Meeker said she had Hobart's permission to take the dogs, since the Stalnakers were behind in rent payments. But Hobart denied that Tuesday, saying she was never concerned about the dogs or the rent, because she knew the dogs were fed and watered regularly. She also said she knew the Stalnakers were going to pay the rent as soon as they got an expected check.


The battle is certain to end up in court, because Meeker plans to use the rescue of the dogs and what she claims as evidence of dog fighting to defend her theft charges.


In addition, both Meeker and the Stalnakers claim the other stole from them. "They came here to my house with the sheriff's deputy and told him they were taking the dogs and some of their equipment back," Meeker said, "but they took a lot of my stuff, too."


At the opposite end, the Stalnakers said their trailer northwest of Nunn was broken into by Meeker and her four friends, and some of their belongings were stolen.
Meanwhile, the dogs have been returned to the Stalnakers. They are keeping several of them at their home in Pierce. Others are being cared for by friends.

[stardust]

that is completely infantile on all the peoples ends. i hope the dogs find some nice homes and are well cared for

[Pinscher Mum]

He said she said he said she said, Sounds like one slinging match doesnt it. How confusing too. I hope in the end, the dos get the life they deserve, regardless of who with, the only thing to consider is that they have the RIGHT home with ALL the proper care, l hope this is resolved for the dogs sake and maybe the owner can admit that they can not care for that many dogs at once.