KRDO13 obtains documents from CPW raid on local animal rehabilitaiton center
Bradley Davis
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Neighbors caught on camera a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) raid at a local animal rehabilitation center last Friday.
The Rocky Mountain WildHeart Wildlife Rehabilitation Center said CPW issued it a Cease and Desist order after Friday’s raid. The center gave our team documentation of CPW’s seizure of 11 of their animals, including foxes, squirrels, raccoons and a porcupine.
Animals seized by CPW
According to documents provided by the rehab center, CPW cited fines of over $1,600 each for both the owner and her mother. The main infraction, according to documentation, was that CPW viewed the animal cages at the center as too small and felt the size could hinder the growth and development of the animals.
The owner showed us at KRDO that she had texted pictures to CPW Wildlife Officer Phil Gurule in 2024, showcasing that the center had upgraded to larger cages.
Anderton said Gurule did an inspection on the evening of May 22 and that he told WildHeart it had until 8 a.m. the next day to get bigger cages for their porcupine and foxes.
On May 23, Anderton texted Gurule photos and videos of the new cages.
Gurule replied, in full, “Perfect! That looks great… I see the porcupine is already in there… Just shoot me a pic when the foxes get in the enclosure… I will be in contact with you… It might be a week or so because next week is even busier than this week. I appreciate it!”
After Anderton followed up with the fox pictures, Gurule replied again, “Thank you! I will reach out in a week or so… come take a look at everything in person. I appreciate it!”
“Two months later, almost, he shows up with animal control and a whole bunch of officers,” Anderton said.
Based on the documents provided by Anderton, the two defendant statements given to both her and her daughter by the CPW on the day of the raid are dated for two different times. Anderton’s documentation is dated July 18 (the day of the raid), while her daughter’s is dated July 12.
Both documents date the violations as May 22, which is the day before Anderton’s and Gurule’s text chain after Gurule’s inspection.
CPW case against WildHeart
Animal Law Enforcement was also on the raid. Anderton provided documentation showing no violations, outside of an order to take two animals in for vet care, a cat with a suspected urinary tract infection, and a bird with a foot injury.
Animal Law Enforcement Welfare Check
Anderton did not let us take a look out back at the cages when we asked. She told our team that it was due to the fact that there were still some wildlife on the property, and that they don’t allow people back there when they have wild animals on the property. She would also not provide us with pictures other than those of the cages she sent to Gurule.
We reached out to CPW for comment, who stated that there is more context outside of the documentation Anderton provided for us, but they cannot share the information with us right now because it’s an active investigation.