DENVER - An animal rights group is asking the 17th Judicial District Attorney to vigorously prosecute a Brighton woman who has been charged with 36 felony counts of animal cruelty.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) sent a petition with more than 52,000 signatures to District Attorney Dave Young, asking that he not only seek jail time for Lynn Kubic, but also an order prohibiting her from future contact with animals.
Kubic and her husband, Kenneth, were each charged with 36 counts of cruelty to animals after state and county officials raided their home near Brighton on Aug. 31, 2016.
"She was allowed to legally have up to 200 rodents in her possession without a license," said Dan Paden, director of evidence analysis for PETA. "They found over 2,000."
PETA released video, obtained via an open records request, showing state agents serving that warrant.
"They asked Ms. Kubic how many animals they were going to find on her property," Paden said. "Her response was 'a few.'"
"They found 2,000 animals," he said, "plus the rotting remains of 50 others."
Paden said many of the animals were "surrounded by filth and languishing in waste."
According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, 18 snakes and a lizard, that required veterinary care, were among the animals found on the Kubic property.
Denver7 reached out to the Kubics on Friday for comment.
When asked about the case against him, Kenneth Kubic said, "I don't have any comment."
He said his wife wouldn't comment either, then added, "You can tell PETA I was absolved of those 36 charges."
Court documents show that 36 felony counts were dismissed against Mr. Kubic, in exchange for a guilty plea to a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.
Paden described the decision as "incompetent," and said prosecutors showed "no courage" in their handling of the case against Mr. Kubic.
He said people who signed the petition hope the case against Lynn Kubic is taken more seriously.
"If they win a conviction we hope (the court) bans Ms. Kubic from ever possessing even one more rodent or snake for the rest of her life."
Earlier Case
According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Mr. Kubic was convicted of 18 counts of Cruelty to Animals on May 13, 2016. Mrs. Kubic pleaded Guilty to Animal Cruelty on June 15 of that year.
Those convictions are what lead to the Cease & Desist in July of 2016, which required Jurassic Pets to stop all business activity and advertising.
An official with the Adams County District Attorney's Office told Denver7 they could not comment on the case citing pending litigation. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday.