Dead calves found at second farm; POS owner cries and tells Sheriff he was 'overwhelmed'. No sympathy from me. He let these animals suffer 24 hours a day til death finally took them.

WISCONSIN -- An investigation into animal neglect at a Kenosha County farm shifted to a second location Saturday, with 30 additional dead calves found at a Paris farm.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department has found more than 80 dead calves at the two farms owned by the Schmeckel family.

 

 

  

 

On Friday, investigators found 52 dead calves in a barn on Highway 75 in Brighton just south of the Kenosha-Racine County line. They found the additional dead calves at a second farm on First Street in Paris.

According to a spokesman for the sheriff’s department, investigators were at the second farm, 20801 First St., until about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, finding 30 dead calves there “in various states of decomposition.” At least 100 live cattle were found on that farm and were evaluated by a veterinarian.

On Friday, deputies discovered the first dead Holstein calves in a barn at 275 Highway 75 in Brighton after receiving a complaint. There were also 15 live calves and steers. Those animals were taken from the property to Sheriff Dave Beth’s farm, which is nearby.

According to a statement from the department, the owners of the properties are cooperating with investigators.

Beth said Friday the animals appeared to have died from starvation and dehydration, but the exact cause is still under investigation.

“The cause of the animal deaths has not yet been determined and may have been illness. However the initial investigation has revealed evidence of neglect in addition to readily apparent long-term deplorable conditions.”

Neighbors said the dairy calves were being raised as beef steers.

Dairy farmers sell bull calves when they are a few days old. The calves are fed milk replacer by bottle or pail until they are old enough to eat forage and grain. Calves are often purchased for beef production.

The calves at the Brighton farm were kept in a barn close to the street, but were not visible from the road. On Friday, the stench of decomposing animals was strong along the highway. The Paris farm is set back far off the road.

Jeffrey Schmeckel was critically injured in a farm accident in 2009, losing a leg when he was caught in a combine while harvesting corn at the Brighton farm.

After the accident, farmers in the area worked together to help the family plant crops, and the community organized a benefit to help defray medical bills.

(Kenosha News - May 24, 2015)

Earlier:

• Over 80 dead calves found on 2 Kenosha County farms