Ostrich neglect, 57 found dead
Hamilton, NJ (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Dec 12, 2002
County: Mercer
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Kevin Ploth
More than 55 ostriches and one horse died at Heartland Farms in recent days from suspected dehydration and other alleged neglect.
But the 54 birds that survived were avenged somewhat when the New Jersey SPCA filed criminal charges against caretaker Kevin Ploth, charging him with 25 counts of neglect for allegedly failing to properly care for the exotic birds.
"At the very least, he should have called out a veterinarian when he saw that the birds were sick," said one animal investigator shortly after the charges were lodged at Hamilton Municipal Court.
According to court documents, Ploth was charged with about a dozen counts of failure to provide "necessary sustenance" for the ostriches, and about a dozen counts of failing to provide adequate veterinarian care.
Each offense is punishable by a fine of between $250 and $1,000, and/or up to six months in prison, said one official.
Ploth was also charged with two counts of failing to provide proper shelter for a dog.
SPCA investigator John Mickelwright noted that he and other officials found two hound dogs shivering and hungry in an open shed with authorities arrived at the site on Monday morning after getting an anonymous tip of suspected animal abuse.
Officials with the state Department of Health, along township animal control said they found 57 dead ostriches and one dead horse at the 83-acre farm, but have been unable to determine what killed the large animal.
Although Ploth and owner Sherwin Drobner have blamed the ostrich deaths on impaction, a form of intestinal blockage caused by eating mud, state health officials suspect the birds died from lack of water.
Mickelwright said one of the dead birds has already been cut open and tested, but results are not expected back for two weeks.
Other officials noted that Ploth had already buried the dead horse by time officials returned to the site Tuesday morning to continue their investigation.
Hamilton officials said they plan to have animal control officers check the farm twice daily for the next two weeks in order to assure that Ploth is following several recommendations made by the NJ Dept. of Health.
For example, health officials said Ploth must provide fresh, running water for the remaining 54 ostriches.
Ploth also agreed to build some type of shelter so the birds can escape from the cold weather, said officials.
Farm owner Sherwin Drobner, who lives in Florida, said ostrich thrive best on a mixture of pellets, oil, and grit.
Drobner said he originally purchased ostrich eggs in Namibia about 10 years ago and brought them back to America hoping to start a new diet.
"Not only does ostrich taste good, it has only 12 percent the fat of regular beef," Drobner said.
Officials said Drobner was likely unaware of the day to day maintenance at heartland Farm, and therefor will not be culpable in any abuse allegations References |
