|
 |
|
Animal Abuse Cases - Details |
 En Español
|
Neglecting goats - 44 seized - (Corinth, VT - US) Crime Date: 02/27/2004
Case Status: Convicted
Case Updates: Available - Click Here
Abusers/Suspects:
Chris Weathersbee
Case ReportCorinth Farmer Chris Weathersbee has been trying to care for his exploding herd of goats for close to five years now. Channel 3 News first caught up with him in 2001. At that time, the state was telling him to make some changes or risk losing some of his animals. And Friday-- they finally took action.
"The governor turned me in," says Weathersbee.
Weathersbee says he wrote to Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont, to ask for aid to feed the animals. Instead of aid -- he got in trouble.
"I wanted the governor's office to know it was an emergency," says Weathersbee, who had been turned down by VEDA for a loan. But the action he says he got from the governor's office was a dozen cops dressed in bulletproof vests-- a virtual swat team at his door.
The farm has been a source of aggravation for neighbors over the years, and of concern for animals rescue groups. Dead goats lie on the front lawn and Weathersbee says some even live in his house. He calls it care. Others call it animal abuse. The Central Vermont Chapter of the Humane Society got involved.
"A search warrant was obtained to look at animals to see what condition they were in," says Vermont State Police Sgt. Bruce Melendy.
A total of 44 goats were seized Friday. The state told the farmer they are too sick to stay under his care. Weathersbee says he had some goats in the house to give them the special care they needed.
Weathersbee faces no charges of animal cruelty at this time. But police say the investigation is continuing. They say charges may come later, and more animals could be seized.
Police say the goats seized Friday will be checked out by a vet.
Case Updates
|
Posted: Dec 11, 2004 - 5:27 PM
|
Chris Weathersbee pleaded guilty this past week to animal cruelty and two other charges as part of a plea bargain that called for the return of the seized goats and the removal of his herd to eastern Kentucky.
Weathersbee said he has hired a livestock trucking company and plans to leave soon for a Kentucky farm, where he expects the animals to be used on a vegetation-management project.
Weathersbee has acknowledged that he cannot adequately care for the animals, but had struggled to find a place that would take the animals but not kill them.
Years of tension between Weathersbee and his neighbors escalated last winter after Central Vermont Humane Society officials and Vermont State Police raided the Corinth farm and seized 44 goats that a state veterinarian deemed unhealthy. Those goats, along with kids that were either sent with their mothers or born while in the custody of the humane society, were returned to Weathersbee on Wednesday. |
Source:
Associated Press - Dec 11, 2004
|
|
Posted: Sep 2, 2004 - 11:31 AM
|
Corinth goat farmer is being held for violating one of the conditions of release for his animal cruelty case.
Police say that Chris Weathersbee's goats left his property -- a violation of conditions set by a judge at a hearing last month.
Weathersbee has pleaded innocent to 15 counts of animal cruelty. More than 200 goats remain on his farm.
The 64-year-old Weathersbee describes himself as a monk and lives with the animals like a nomadic sheep herder. He's said that he won't give up the goats because he's sure some will be slaughtered.
Weathersbee is being held on five-thousand dollars bail at the correctional facility in Saint Johnsbury. |
Source:
Channel 3 News - Sept 2, 2004
|
|
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 5:03 PM
|
Vermont goat farmer, Weathersbee has pleaded innocent to 15 counts of cruelty to animals.
Chris Weathersbee, 64, had originally been cited on 44 counts of cruelty to animals, but Orange County prosecutors reduced the number of charges at his arraignment this week.
Weathersbee was released on conditions including that he keep his goats fenced in and off certain neighbors' property.
After the arraignment nearly 100 residents gathered with state officials and selectmen to demand they do more about the goats.
Neighbors have complained about the goats getting in the road and in their yards.
Police say the court imposed conditions may give them a new tool in dealing with the problem.
|
Source:
wcax.com
|
|
Posted: Aug 5, 2004 - 4:56 PM
|
Chris Weathersbee, 64, was charged Tuesday, August 3 with 44 counts of cruelty to animals. Police said Orange County prosecutors may amend the number of charges at his August 23 arraignment in Vermont District Court in Chelsea.
Each misdemeanor charge carries a possible sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. |
Source:
WCAX TV
|
References - August 9, 2004 - Dec 12, 2004
|
|
|
