NEW HAMPSHIRE -- A man who police allege slit the throats of two goats faces up to 14 years in prison on animal cruelty charges.
Police said Whitney Nelson, 64, was living at a residential inn at 119 Central St. when he killed the owner’s goats Aug. 7.
Officers responded to a report of vandalism at a boarding house at 119 Central Street on Aug. 7. When they arrived, a man showed police that two of his goats that had their throats slit, Fosters reported.
Police were able to examine a trail of blood leading from the farm to the side of the house where Whitney Nelson, 64, lived.
Nelson told police that he did not know how the goats got mutilated. Nelson also had blood on his elbow, police said, but stated he did not know where that came from either.
Police received permission to search Nelson's room, and reported finding another trail of blood leading from the door to the bed in his room. Blood was also found on Nelson's mattress, but he said he did not know anything about the blood, police said.
Nelson was indicted on two class B felony counts of cruelty to animals in October. If convicted, Nelson could face a maximum sentence of 3½ to 7 years in prison and a $4,000 fine for each charge.
He has been released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail and is prohibited from going within 100 yards of 119 Central Street, or having contact with the man who reported the incident to police.
A dispositional conference for Nelson's case is scheduled to take place on Nov. 9.
Police Chief John Drury said Wednesday the inn’s owner is allowed to have small farm animals on the property because it is in an agricultural zone. The owner also keeps sheep and other pets.
Drury said police seized the weapon allegedly used to commit the crimes and the owner was able to keep the animals.
Police are not often called to the inn, Drury said.
“It can be a tough place. But the owner keeps it under control,” Drury said.
(Union Leader - Oct 26, 2016)