121 cows to be killed due to malnutrition OAKLEY: District attorney may file charges against owner after animals found dead or emaciated on property By Scott Marshall STAFF WRITERArticle Launched: 02/14/2008 03:09:16 AM PST Related Feb 9: Authorities find dozens of dead, emaciated cowsThe owner of 29 cows found dead in three Oakley-area pastures last week has been ordered by a judge to transport another 121 emaciated animals found on the property for euthanization, county animal services officials said Wednesday. Two-thirds of the surviving cows have already been removed -- a process that must be completed by Friday, said Dan Barrett, deputy director of animal services.
"We believe he is following the court's order," he said. The cows were in such poor condition that they were "seized in place" because a veterinarian on the scene concluded that moving them would have caused undue stress, Barrett said. In the meantime, the veterinarian and officers are working with the owner on how to properly feed the cows and are monitoring the progress of their removal, Barrett said. "I'm pretty confident that he's going to be dealt with in the criminal justice system," Barrett said. The investigation began with a tip and culminated after a two-week period in which the unidentified owner failed to respond adequately, Barrett said. Authorities obtained three search warrants to allow for greater access to the properties and to help evidence collection. A dozen officers and a veterinarian and technician spent much of last Thursday in three pastures at East Cypress and Bethel Island roads in an unincorporated area, Barrett said. After the initial investigation, a judge ordered the cows be euthanized, he said. All of the cows had low ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- --
Advertisement ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -- scores on a scale used to calculate nutrition and some were emaciated. The case could be sent to the district attorney's office as early as next week. Reach Scott Marshall at 925-945-4782 or smarshall@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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