Virginia: Authorities want you to believe hauling an animal, in horrible pain with broken hips, like this isn't animal cruelty, but would we haul a human being with broken hips this way?

UPDATE TO STORY: Terry McCoy charged with animal cruelty after he strapped cow to flatbed trailer

VIRGINIA -- Pictures of a cow strapped to a flatbed truck in rural Virginia went viral on social media, Wednesday evening.

A witness says a man told him the cow's hips were broken.

A tipster told ABC 13 the photos were taken at the Foster Fuels station in Rustburg, Va.

We went straight to Campbell County Animal Control and officers say the way someone strapped the cow down could be the most humane way.

At first glance, the picture may make you think otherwise, but Campbell County Animal Control Officer Joseph David says after looking into the situation , he found the cow had broken hips, and was given from one personal farm to another.

The man transporting the cow took him a short distance to his farm, and slaughtered the cow right away.

David says he would have bigger concerns if the cow was left immobile and not killed after transport.

He says the cow needed to be taken away from the farm and other animals , and the only other option would have been to drag the cow.

"Probably not the best idea you know, pulling up where everybody can see and showing off to everybody, but when it comes down to it, it's about the only way, the most humane way you could do it," said David.

Maybe you should have looked at charging the original owner with animal cruelty for not immediately shooting the cow and putting it out of its misery. There was NO reason to continue the suffering of this animal in order for him to give the animal to someone else. He KNOWINGLY failed to end the suffering of this animal and therefore committed animal cruelty.

The Campbell County Sheriff's Department is investigating, but no traffic or transportation laws were violated.

ABC-13 spoke with three area stock yards. They say the cow didn't come from them.

It's illegal to sell or take in immobile animals, and it's also illegal for slaughterhouses to take an animal who can't walk into their facility.

Since the cow was transferred privately, those laws weren't broken either.

Many people took to Facebook to express outrage and speculation over where the cow may have been going.

ABC 13 reached out to an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent and he told our crew that as far as he knows, hauling a cow strapped down on a flatbed trailer is not illegal.

Agent Todd Scott said he doesn't think transporting the cow in this manner is breaking the law, although it certainly is not a good way to do so.

"I can't find anywhere this is breaking the law from my research. This is certainly not a good way to transport non-ambulatory cattle and I would hope that we don't see something like this again. An open top trailer with sides would be appropriate for this."

Agent Todd Scott says he couldn't find anything... hmm, I looked and within five minutes found this law. The animal should NOT have been forced to continue to endure suffering and pain so that this guy could transport him elsewhere. He knowingly forced the animal to continue to suffer. Ergo, he is guilty of animal cruelty.

§ 3.2-6503.1. Care of agricultural animals by owner; penalty
A. Each owner shall provide for each of his agricultural animals:

1. Feed to prevent malnourishment;

2. Water to prevent dehydration; and

3. Veterinary treatment as needed to address impairment of health or bodily function when such impairment cannot be otherwise addressed through animal husbandry, including humane destruction.

(Fox11 - May 18, 2016)