 Cattle neglect - dozens found decomposing
Marysville, WA (US)Date: Feb 7, 2005
County: Snohomish
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available
Abuser names unreleased
|
|
More than a dozen cows could be seen in various forms of decomposition litter the property. Snohomish County Animal Control says they sent an officer out Monday after receiving a complaint about dead cattle. What was found has sparked an investigation.
Animal Control is now investigating the owner of those animals for possible neglect. The focus of the investigation is a farm along 51st Avenue N.E., just on the edge of Marysville.
The owner, who refers to himself only as Jim, denied the claims. "I feed my animals very well," he said. He said some of his animals were mysteriously shot.
It was the sight of an ailing horse that prompted Amber Petraborg to make what she says is her third call to Animal Control.
"I've been around horses for 20 years. I've never seen an animal walk around like that with no food or shelter covered in rain rot and emaciated, and for someone to think that's okay that's cruelty," she said.
Amber and others told news media they became worried after noticing a growing number of carcasses left in a field.
"You have dead cattle out with baby calves and baby horses, and they're all just intermingling together," said Amber.
"He would come out here with his truck with a big chain, hook up the cattle and drag them out behind his house and they're bouncing the whole way," said Michelle Thompson, another concerned citizen.
Animal Control says farmers are required to bury or remove dead animals within 24 hours so that they don't spread disease.
Michelle Thompson hopes that this kind of cleanup will start to happen there and Animal Control will be an advocate for the animals that still remain.
A spokesperson for Animal Control said they have some charges pending against the owner, but they won't say what those charges are. They had a veterinarian out to do an autopsy on at least one of the animals. They said it will take some time to get those results.
According to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the owner pleaded guilty to an animals-at-large charge last year. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References« Back to Search Results
« WA State Animal Cruelty Map
|
