Nye County is seeking permanent possession of 148 animals seized last year from Kimberly Aurich, the operator of a Goldfield animal rescue. A hearing this past Monday did not resolve whether the county will keep the horses, donkeys, mules, goats, sheep and dogs, and a judge continued the case to November, according to 8 News Now.
Nye County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Aurich on July 31, 2025, after investigators alleged that the animals were not being provided adequate food and water, KLAS 8 News Now reported. The county is pursuing legal possession of the animals already taken during the investigation. Monday's forfeiture hearing was held in Nye County District Court before Judge Robert Lane.
A Plea Deal That Fell Apart
Bradley Richardson, Nye County's chief deputy district attorney, said in court that prosecutors had proposed dismissing 19 misdemeanor charges if Aurich pleaded no contest to one count. Richardson said Aurich later backed out of the agreement and characterized the evidence against her as overwhelming, according to 8 News Now.
Aurich reportedly dismissed her attorney after the proposed agreement fell apart. She is now represented by Ofelia Markarian, who told the court that Aurich had never read the plea agreement and questioned the basis for filing 19 misdemeanor charges.
Attorney Argues Animals Aren't Tied to the Charges
Markarian argued that prosecutors had not shown how the 148 animals were connected to Aurich's misdemeanor charges. She also sought evidence and a complete inventory of the animals, as well as an accounting of the $132,000 in restitution the state is seeking, according to 8 News Now.
Aurich operates Drag'n Ass Rescue and Sanctuary in Goldfield, Nevada, and moved from Las Vegas to her current Pahrump property in January. She told the outlet that the seized animals were livestock, including horses, donkeys, mules, goats, sheep and dogs.
Nye County's Shelter-System Context
The case also comes against a history of coordination challenges in the county's animal-control system. A 2019 county review said poor coordination among the shelter, courts and Sheriff's Office had extended protective-custody animals' stays and increased costs for the county and Sheriff's Office, according to Nye County's Shelter Review Findings and Proposed Corrective Actions. The same review said a relationship between Desert Haven Animal Society and the Nevada SPCA enabled transfers of cats and dogs, opening shelter space and helping get animals adopted.
What Happens Next
Judge Lane scheduled the next hearing for November. The forfeiture dispute, the criminal case and the requested restitution remain unresolved, and no further details about the restitution figure were made public in the report.
