Over two dozen animals neglected, some dead
Burlington, MI (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010
County: Calhoun
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Ernest Foster
A Calhoun County man may soon face animal cruelty charges after a disturbing find Tuesday.
A call came in that sent deputies to 6 ½ Mile Road on Tuesday. When the deputies arrived, they found dogs, cats, sheep, goats and more, all malnourished and just filthy.
On Thursday, Newschannel 3 found the man who owns the property.
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department is continuing to investigate the case of alleged animal cruelty in Burlington Township. Investigators who searched the property couldn't believe what they found, but 62-year-old Ernest Foster claims the animals on his property were well taken care of.
"They took the food, those are empty food bags, there was a bag of food and a bag of corn," said Foster. "Normally I use the ponds for the geese and ducks, they like to get into them and swim."
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department tells a different story, one of possible neglect and cruelty. Foster had 30 animals at his home, and investigators allege that they were kept in unsanitary conditions, without enough food and water.
"There's a water faucet right by the barn, and the water bucket is filled twice a day," said Foster.
Cages, fences, and buckets were scattered around the yard on Thursday. Investigators say they found two dead llamas and two dead miniature ponies when they seized the animals on Tuesday afternoon.
Foster says one of the llamas broke its neck when it was tied up, possibly scared by a fox, but admits to killing the other because it kept getting loose and wandering off.
"There was an alpaca, fur packed with feces,' said Capt. Matt Saxton, "and when they got it down to the rescue home, they found a section of barbed wire."
Foster says he has several disabilities, from arthritis, a shoulder injury, and depression. He claims all the animals he had were either strays or dropped off because the owners couldn't take care of them.
"When you are suffering from ailments including depression, at least getting up to take care of the animals is a motivator to get up," said Foster.
Foster says he's facing seven charges, including animal cruelty, from previous incidents. He is not yet facing any charges related to the current case. References« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
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