Farmer accused of animal cruelty 'made a mistake'

FLORIDA -- A Bay area farmer, who was arrested and accused of animal cruelty this week, is telling his side of the story.

Bay News 9 first met Antonio Casamento in 2013 after he started a cheese making business by leasing and raising water buffalo on a Plant City farm.

Casamento's charges stem from injuries to one of the calves he cares for.

 "It was just, for a human, an honest mistake," said Casamento.

Casamento was arrested after investigators got a call about the 6-7-month-old calf that was tied up within inches of a fence post.

Struggling to free itself, the calf injured its eye. Another rope around its neck hadn't been adjusted for months, and as the calf grew, the rope became embedded in muscle tissue.

Casamento said that was an oversight.

"It was a rope that might have been overseen,” said Casamento. “I forgot about it, because they grow a full hair. I don't want to excuse myself. Simply, as I said, I'm by myself, and take care of every single aspect."

We showed Casamento the photo provided by deputies of the calf’s neck injury.

“I mean, don't get me wrong," Casamento said. "It is wrong. But, in terms, that's for me and you like a scratch."

Casamento said the calf had been tied up to the fence for a day, which is how he was taming the calf. 
However, he said the calf had plenty of slack to eat and drink, and it must have entangled itself.

 

“Maybe moving around trying to free himself, that might be the cause,” Casamento said. “But again, that's not my intention."

Deputies didn't find anything wrong with the rest of the livestock.

 

"This the one time," he said. "There's no warning, there's no guidance, just penalty."

Casamento's now worried about what this will do to his business. The married father of two sells cheese from a store in Tampa.

"I actually love my animals, every single one have a name," he said.

Casamento said he welcomes the public to contact him and see for themselves how he treats the water buffalo.

Authorities say the calf is now in the care of agriculture detectives and a veterinarian, and is expected to make a full recovery. According to the sheriff’s office public information officer, once the calf recovers it will be sent to an animal rescue, or auctioned off at an animal auction.

(Bay News 9 - Jan 18, 2015)

Earlier:

• Baby water buffalo with embedded rope gets owner, Antonio Casmento, charged with cruelty