Task force looking to crack down on animal abuse

PHOENIX - Some extreme cases of animal abuse in the Valley are just part of the reason a new task force is fighting to change animal abuse and neglect laws.

A case where a man is accused of capturing and mutilating cats, along with a rescue of puppies from a puppy mill, and the discovery of horses injured and emaciated are just a few that happened in the past few weeks.

"It is heartbreaking," said Joey Ogburn, a woman who has been rescuing horses over the past several years and is even starting a horse therapy program called Project Angel Eyes.

Ogburn has rescued all the horses on her Scottsdale ranch and is a member of the task force.

The task force was created by two Phoenix council members and includes state, city and county representatives along with animal advocates.  Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix is heading up the effort.

They meet once a month and are expecting to draft legislation to present in the next legislative session.

Ogburn explained that often times suspects often do not get prosecuted or face severe penalties.

"There is a big focus on education," she said.

Project Angel Eyes is expected to launch a website in the near future. Anyone wanting information should contact Joey Ogburn at (602) 400-0826.