News

Actions

11 animals killed at Urban Farm in Stapleton, Denver Police Department says

Posted at 11:46 AM, Jan 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-22 21:00:48-05

DENVER -- Officers with the Denver Police Department believe a couple of dogs killed nearly a dozen animals at a farm in Stapleton overnight. 

The Denver Police Department tweeted officers were investigating the "death of several animals" near Smith Road and Havana Street at around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. 

The deaths occurred at The Urban Farm at Stapleton, a nonprofit that provides "agricultural and environmental education to urban children, youth and their families" through experiential learning and practical work experience in a farm setting, according to the farm's Facebok page

"We are working with the Denver police to determine whether people were involved," said a spokesperson for the nonprofit. "We are heartbroken for our children who loved and cared for these animals and we are heartbroken for the loss of these innocent animals."

Investigators believe the dogs may have gotten into the farm to kill a total of 11 goats, sheep and rabbits, according to a DPD spokesperson who spoke with Denver7.

Two dogs are in quarantine, the spokesperson said, but a definite cause of death won't be known until a necropsy is performed on the dead animals.  

Nine of the farm's sheep, who were not harmed, were participating in the final weekend of the National Western Stock Show, the farm spokesperson said in a Facebook post early Sunday afternoon. One of those sheep will be used to restock the herd.

---------

Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines.

Or, keep up-to-date by following Denver7 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.