Nearly 100 Malnourished Animals Seized At Md. Farm
BOONSBORO, Md. (WJZ) -- A horrible case of alleged animal cruelty uncovered at a Maryland farm. Officials seize nearly 100 animals they say were malnourished and neglected.
Rick Ritter has more on this disturbing case.
Officials at the Humane Society say the property owner faces more than 300 animal cruelty charges and call the conditions the worst they've ever seen.
Ribs showing, mucky water left to drink and bones scattered across fields--just some of the disturbing pictures from an alleged animal cruelty case.
"I actually felt like I was watching something off a TV," said Crystal Mowery, field service officer, Humane Society.
One that's raising eyebrows across the state.
"I have 25 years in the field of animal welfare and this was devastating," said Kimberley Intino, chief executive officer, Humane Society.
On November 24, after numerous calls and a tip, the Washington County Humane Society served a search warrant at 60-year-old Daniel Rohrer Jr.'s farm.
Charging documents describe "dire conditions," stating animals were spotted dead as soon as officers entered the barn.
"I specifically asked about the dead carcasses. Their comment was they lay where they die," Mowery said.
Bones and decomposing animals in various stages were scattered throughout. Goats and sheep found with severely overgrown hooves.
Outside, there was no food for the animals. Officer Mowery says pictures shed only a glimpse before they seized cows, sheep and goats--95 total.
"There was manure and feces everywhere," said Mowery.
WJZ got in touch with the defendant's attorney, who says her client disputes all charges.
His attorney, Rebekah Lusk, tells WJZ in a statement:
"Mr. Rohrer adamantly disputes all of the criminal charges that have been filed against him and will be vigorously defending the charges. Mr. Rohrer provides all the necessary food, water and care for his animals and the animals that were seized were all healthy. Mr. Rohrer is a meat producer and takes great pride in the high quality meats that he sells and he would not be able to produce such high quality meat from animals that had been neglected. Mr. Rohrer is confident he will be able to prevail in court and defeat the charges."
"Regardless of whether he has animals as pets or food animals ,the law requires that you treat them properly," said Intino.
While Lusk claims her client is innocent, the Humane Society anxiously waits.
"The Humane Society has already invested a lot of money into taking care of these animals and we still have a few months before criminal trial. We are appealing to the community for any donations so we can continue this work and help these animals and the over 6,000 animals that come through our doors over the year," Intino said.
Rohrer's next court date is scheduled for March 4. If convicted, each count against Rohrer carries up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
All of the animals seized were moved to local foster farms.
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