Horses and cows neglected, 2 found dead Parkersburg, WV (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 9, 2008 County: Wood
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Waitmen James Lowe
Days after officials found two dead cows on his farm, a Rockport man is charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty.
Waitmen James Lowe was arrested and arraignment in Wood County Magistrate Court before Magistrate Joyce Purkey.
He is charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty, one for each horse and cow allegedly neglected and in poor condition.
It started Sunday when a concerned driver saw a cow collapse on Lowe's farm and called 911.
When West Virginia State Police and the Parkersburg Humane Society responded they found two dead cows and malnourished horses on Lowe's farm in Rockport.
They say the animals were under-fed and not taken care of. Some had rain-rot.
A veterinarian came Monday and said the remaining animals were in poor condition and the environment unlivable. He also recommended all animals be removed.
"The veterinarian found that husbandry practices which is the upkeep of the animals and welfare of the animals and their environment was almost nonexistent," said Sr. Trooper L.B. Morrison of the West Virginia State Police
So Tuesday the Humane Society started removing the animals from the farm and it's the third time since last year that humane officers have been out to check on Lowe's animals.
"The horses were not always in the best condition so we gave him a chance and relied on him to take care of the animals and he didn't take care of the animals so the horses were our main concern," said humane officer Corey Rose of the Parkersburg Humane Society.
Lowe didn't want to go on camera but he told me he's not guilty of animal cruelty and hopes to take care of it.
A probable cause hearing is the next step to plead his case and to get his animals back.
Lowe posted his own bond and could face up to 14 and a half years in prison and or up to $58,000 in fines.
The Parkersburg Humane Society will take the remaining animals and continue to investigate. References |