Cattle neglect, 6 found dead
Myakka City, FL (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Aug 29, 2009
County: Manatee
Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
When Kim Reichard and his wife saw the dead and emaciated cattle at a Myakka City ranch, they could not ignore it.
"My wife was crying, and I was about to," Reichard said. "It was just so sad to see. We had to do something."
Reichard alerted the Manatee Sheriff's Office agricultural unit to the neglect on Saturday, and investigators quickly stepped in to help the cattle.
A Sheriff's deputy located six carcasses -- five cows and one calf -- along with up to 70 more head of cattle that were severely malnourished on the 400-acre ranch at 12250 Rexrode Road in Myakka City.
The grass had not been fertilized for some time, so the cows were not consuming enough protein, said Sheriff's Sgt. William Riley.
The cattle also had not been separated based on health conditions and age as they should have been.
And calves still suckling on distressed cows should have been removed instead of being allowed to continue draining the mothers' systems, Riley said.
Charges of animal neglect and cruelty are being considered as the investigation proceeds, deputies said.
The ranch is owned by David Owen and managed by Jeff Scarborough; neither could be reached by phone at their homes or the farm on Tuesday.
The owner is now required to comply with certain measures to renourish the cattle.Riley would not disclose any possible reason for the neglect. References« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
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