A 20-year-old El Paso woman is facing a cruelty-to-animals charge after four dogs were found in poor condition during an animal welfare investigation at a Northeast El Paso home.
The investigation began May 19, when an Animal Protection officer responded to a complaint involving several dogs at a residence on Polaris Street.
Inside the home, the officer found four dogs identified as Sky, Dusse, Nix and Zeno. Two of them, Sky and Dusse, appeared severely underweight, with their ribs, pelvic bones and spinal areas clearly visible. Nix was also described as underweight.
The conditions at the home raised additional concerns. Investigators reported finding excessive feces, limited access to clean drinking water and inadequate food for the animals.
During the visit, Ali Byrne Cowan told the officer that the dogs were being fed regularly. She also said she did not know why they were not gaining weight.
The dogs were subsequently removed from the home and taken to an Animal Services shelter for evaluation and care.
Once at the shelter, the dogs reportedly showed an intense interest in both food and water, consuming them immediately. Staff placed the animals on a regular feeding schedule while they received veterinary care.
Their condition later improved significantly. Shelter records described the dogs as reaching healthy body weights, with updated photographs showing a noticeable improvement in their overall appearance.
The investigation and veterinary evaluations were cited in the case as evidence that the dogs had not received adequate food, water, shelter and care. The allegations led to a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals against Cowan.
As of the latest available jail information accompanying the case, Cowan had not been booked into the El Paso County Jail.
The dogs’ reported recovery comes after they were removed from the conditions in which they were found and placed under shelter and veterinary supervision.
