Cattle neglect - 60 seized, 3 dead - Galax, VA

Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008

County: Carroll

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: John Conner Leonard, Jr.

John Conner Leonard Jr. now faces 58 counts of animal cruelty after Carroll County officials seized 60 head of cattle from the Galax man.

Alleging "cruel treatment," Carroll County seized the cattle from Leonard on Feb. 6 after a court order by Judge Edward M. Turner III.

The court order came at the request of Carroll County Animal Control Officer Terry Woods, who observed the cattle along with a state veterinarian Feb. 5 on Leonard's property at 1929 Max Lane on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Woods said he observed three dead, unburied cattle that day, while the surviving cattle were suffering from severe malnutrition.

He said state vets from the Virginia Department of Agriculture scored the majority of the surviving cattle a two or three on a scale of 10. Leonard was charged Thursday and taken to New River Valley Regional Jail on Friday, where he was released that night on a $5,000 secured bond.

All 58 counts of animal cruelty are Class I misdemeanors, each punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,400 fine, Woods said. A hearing for the disposition of the cattle is scheduled for Feb. 22 in Carroll County General District Court in Hillsville.

The Feb. 6 court order signed by Judge Turner alleges that "there is a direct and immediate threat to the lives of the surviving cattle...and that the state veterinarian's representative confirmed the cruel treatment and suffering being presently endured by the surviving cattle."

The court order also ruled that the surviving cattle be seized by Carroll County and impounded on Leonard's property under the exclusive care, custody and control of the county, pending the Feb. 22 disposition.

Woods said the animals' health has been improving since the county took over their feeding.

"We are already seeing a difference in them. They look for us every morning," Woods said. "Some of them probably never will completely (return to full health). Some of the cows evidently have some milk and they are getting a lot better."

Woods also charged Leonard with one count of failing to obtain a 2008 county dog license for four dogs.

References

• Mount Airy News - Feb 19, 2008

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