Cattle neglect, 300 calves found dead Ireton, IA (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 County: Sioux Local Map: available Disposition: Not Charged Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 11952 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cow View more cases in IA (US) Login to Watch this Case

An investigation is continuing into an animal neglect case near Ireton, Iowa, in which approximately 300 dead cows and calves were found.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday the Sioux County Sheriff's Office received a call to investigate a complaint of possible animal neglect on a rural Ireton farm. At the 2300 block of 500th St. deputies found approximately 57 live cows, bulls and calves located in two holding areas. The sheriff's office said the animals appeared to be malnourished and thin. Water was found in one of the holding areas. The only food source found was two round bales of corn stalks.

Deputies also found approximately 300 calves that had died and were in various stages of decay, the sheriff's office reported.

Sioux County Sheriff Dan Altena said quite a few of the deceased animals were covered up, but he said bones were also visible.

Altena said his office contacted the Iowa Department of National Resources to see if the disposal of the animals was proper.

The DNR sent nearby specialists to the site to look at composting of the cattle carcasses and to ensure that Iowa surface and ground water were not negatively impacted.

"Most of the carcasses were already composted with corn stalk bales," said Jeff Prier, a DNR environmental specialist who visited the site. "There were still a number of cattle alive that needed treatment."

Prier said about 12 dead cattle will need to be composted or disposed of properly.

The remaining live cattle were removed from the property and transported to Tri-State Livestock Co. in Sioux Center.

Altena said there are a few buildings and lots located on the site where the animals were found, but nobody lives there. He said the animals were transported to the farm sometime in February.

Time of death and cause of death have not yet been determined.

"It initially appears not enough food and water for the animals played a part," Altena said.

The investigation will continue with the possibility of criminal charges pending.

The Ireton Vet Clinic and the Siouxland Humane Society aided the Sioux County Sheriff's Office in the investigation.

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References

Sioux City Journal - Aug 3, 2007

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