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Case ID: 13783
Classification: Shooting
Animal: cow
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Cows shot to death
Tooele, UT (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 28, 2008
County: Tooele

Charges: Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Weston Redd Kress

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Nine cows and a calf were killed in a shooting spree on public grazing land in Tooele County.

Chief Deputy Duke North called it "heinous animal cruelty.''

"We intend to do all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice,'' he said Tuesday.

A third-generation rancher, Martin Anderson, said six beef cattle and a calf were killed by the shots last week. Three other cows had to be euthanized because of their injuries.

"Many of the calves that had not been shot were lying next to their dead mothers," Anderson said. "Just a terrible sight."

"How cruel do you have to be to an animal?" North asked. "We want to find them really bad."

The Humane Society of Utah is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction. Anderson's financial loss exceeds $10,000.

"Just to have them shot like that is just so senseless," Anderson said. "I just don't understand it."

Officials said that some of the calves will now have to be raised by hand because their mothers were killed.

"We are going to have to bottle-feed them... find somebody that can take care of them," said Chief Deputy North, visibly disturbed. "Because they have to be fed like every two hours."

"Much of Tooele County is very remote and is used for legitimate recreational purposes,'' North said. "However, some people feel like they can come here and do what they want.''

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tooele County Sheriff's Office at (435) 843-4705.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Toole County Sheriff's Office
435/843-4705


Case Updates

The man who turned himself in for shooting several cows last year in Skull Valley has now been charged with 2nd degree felony mischief.

Weston Redd Kress, 22, of Herriman and West Jordan shot the cows near Lone Rock in the Skull Valley area of Tooele County.

Cattle rancher Martin Anderson, who owned the cows, said nine cows and a calf were killed after they all had been shot with a .223-caliber rifle.

At the time, the Tooele County Sheriff's Office, the Humane Society of Utah, the Utah Cattlemen's Association, and various farm bureau's put out a reward for information into the shootings.

Kress said he saw the coverage of the shootings and moved to Ohio to get away from his guilt.

However, he couldn't live with the guilt and turned himself in to Tooele County investigators this past December. He also called and apologized to Anderson, and wrote him a check for $10,000 to cover his losses.

Tooele County Sgt. Ron Johnson says Kress admitted to the shootings, but didn't have a good reason why he shot the animals. Kress said he had planned to just do some target shooting, but instead decided to shoot the cattle.

Anderson told investigators he didn't think charges should be filed against Kress, since he turned himself in. In an interview with KSL, Sgt. Johnson praised Kress for "doing the right thing," but said charges would be up to the Tooele County Attorney's Office.

County prosecutors decided to file the charge because of the dollar amount of the cows, and because of the long investigation.

However, Tooele County attorney Doug Hogan admits the case will most likely be "resolved with leniency" because Kress turned himself in and has been very cooperative.

Normally, a 2nd degree felony mischief charge brings the possibility of one to 15 years in prison.

Kress is expected in court March 24th.

It is possible the charge will be completely dismissed.
Source: ksl.com - Mar 4, 2009
Update posted on Jun 26, 2009 - 2:46PM 

References


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