Connecticut: Dozens of goats found to be sick, drug dealers Tara Bryson, 40, and Michael Hearl, 43, arrested for animal cruelty

CONNECTICUT --  Dozens of sick goats were rescued from a dairy in Cornwall.

Drug dealers Tara Bryson, 40, and Michael Hearl, 43, both of West Suffield, face 63 counts of animal cruelty.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Police said they seized the animals from the Butterfield Farm cheese-making operation on Jan. 16. The dairy is located on Hautboy Road in Cornwall.

Although they lived in a MILLION DOLLAR home, 

Connecticut handed them $50,000

in taxpayer money to start a goat milk business(!)

Bryson and Hearl are accused of failing to properly feed, water and shelter the herd. Many of the animals were found to be emaciated, police said.

 

Police said the care of the animals put them at risk for parasites and disease.

Bryson was arrested on Thursday, but was free after posting a $60,000 bond. She's scheduled to face a judge on March 10 in Bantam.

Hearl turned himself in to Suffield police on Friday. He'll also be arraigned later in Bantam.

"This was an extremely complicated case that presented unique challenges both in handling the goats and in investigating the actions of their owners," said Steven K. Reviczky, agriculture commissioner.

“But this case also demonstrates that our department has no tolerance for the abuse and neglect of animals, and will do whatever it takes to hold accountable anyone who does not fulfill their responsibilities to livestock or pets in their care.”

The state agriculture department has been granted ownership of the goats. The animals are recovering at a rehabilitation facility in Niantic.

(WFSB - Feb 27, 2015)

Earlier:

• Connecticut: Tara Bryson and Michael Hearl are drug dealers (and animal abusers!)
• Connecticut: Tara Bryson, 40, and Michael Hearl, 43, who run a goat milk business left their animals to starve to death