UPDATE: The brown and white heifer was traded for feed so the owner had more food for other animals on the farm. The older bull was put down due to the severity of its condition.
Malnourished livestock and allegations of animal abuse have some neighbors worried that not enough is being done to stop it.
Brown County Animal Control officers are now investigating, and after seeing disturbing photos, people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Leaders are raising concerns as well.
When Fox59 tried to take action getting help for the animals, we got quite the surprise.
Disturbing pictures showing underweight animals and many with open wounds have many neighbors concerned. The pictures also show the animals trying to survive in deplorable conditions.
Rachel Raisor lives across the street from where the animals are housed and said they are underweight, with open wounds, trying to survive in disgusting conditions.
“It is hideously mud and muck and feces,” said Raisor about the pasture they live in.
The property is on Valley Branch Road, about a half mile off 135 South in Brown County. She said she first noticed neglect three years ago and contacted Animal Control officers when three animals died, worrying more would.
“(They were) underweight, very sickly, lying in the field, unable to get up on their own,” said Raisor. “Made attempts to contact Animal Control again, was assured the vet had been here, everything was being handled.”
She called again in the spring of 2011, after seeing two very sick pregnant cows.
“I once again reached in and asked animal control for help- I’ve shown you the photographs. They both lay in the field and passed away,” said Raisor.
Richard Wood with Brown County Animal Control took over the case last month. He declined to speak on camera, but said there are not any reports from the property since 2008, aside from reports in the last few weeks, because the prior officer didn't document his work. He said animals have died there, but can't confirm details.
“Animal control assured me it was parasites and worms and that it's mainly from, they are so underfed that the pasture is eaten off to the ground and they put their faces to the ground trying to get something, pulling roots and they eat their own feces,” said Raisor.
Fox59 wanted to know what the owner of the animals, Kevin Miller, had to say. Fox59 walked across a county road, surrounded by farm land toward the pasture. Miller does not own it, but he keeps his cattle there.
As we got closer, Fox59 saw him with what appeared to be an assault rifle and he started yelling.
“You want news, you want news,” yelled Miller.
Miller first pointed the rifle at the ground then diagonally into the air, while Fox59 ran back across the road and into a neighbor’s house to take cover. Brown County Sheriffs Deputies responded to the scene and said they were familiar with Miller. They said he has been angry because of the investigations by Animal Control and PETA.
The Animal Control officer now in charge, Richard Wood said “clearly there is a problem here, you can see by looking at the animals."
"Miller is doing what's being asked,” said Miller. “He's provided medical care and the animals have improved slightly."
Dr. James Brester at Bean Blossom Animal Clinic is overseeing the animals’ care. Dr. Brester declined to speak with Fox59, but did confirm this with PETA.
“He was on the property yesterday and that the animals are looking better and that the animals are not downed,” said Stephanie Bell, the Associate Director of PETA’s Cruelty Investigations Department.
Since charges have not been filed against the owner and the animals are now under a vet's care, PETA has no grounds to push to take ownership away from Miller.
“Even though the photos are alarming, it may be that the animals are improving but because the animals looks so poor to begin with, we are concerned and we will be tracking this case very closely,” said Bell.
Meanwhile, Raisor tried to do what she can, giving the animals sweet feed, cracked corn and hay. However, she knows it is not enough.
“Ultimately, I’d like to see them have better and safer homes and the two that are sick, if they're not going to make it, be euthanized, be in a decent way and not be left in a field to pass away,” said Raisor.
Wood said "in Indiana criminal code, there is no requirement for livestock to get medical or vet care" and that "cases of livestock neglect are extremely difficult to prosecute".
Bell said if you have a similar concern, you should first contact local Animal Control officials and law enforcement. Then, if you do not get the issue resolved, you can contact PETA at 757-622-7382 or www.peta.org.
