Two Face Charges In Dozens Of Cow Deaths
Two men are facing animal-neglect charges in connection with the deaths of about 40 cattle at a ranch near Worley, Idaho.
Harold Chambless, 69, the cattle owner, and Duane Bailey, a man hired to care for the animals, are now each facing 10 counts of “failing to give proper care to animals.”
In January, Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies found about 100 dead, dying and neglected cattle at Chambless’ ranch.
It appeared they had not been fed or watered for weeks. And some animals appeared to have been dead for months, according to a sheriff’s report.
Dead cows were piled on top of each other in places. Some of the living cattle were so dehydrated that their eyeballs had collapsed inside their skulls.
“It was just a terrible, terrible scene,” Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas said Wednesday.
Chambless told authorities that he left town earlier in the month and hired Bailey to care for the animals.
But Bailey told investigators he fed the cattle the amount of food Chambless gave him.
According to a sheriff’s report, when a deputy questioned Chambless about the condition of his animals, Chambless said, “I was surprised the cattle looked as good as they did. I’m sick and unhappy, but it’s not the end of the world for me financially …”
Prosecutors filed the 10 counts based on groups of dead animals found in different locations. Charges also were filed for a dozen or so animals who had to be euthanized because they were so ill, and for animals that survived but were badly cared for, Douglas said.
In Idaho, animal neglect is a misdemeanor offense. The maximum penalty for a first-time offender is six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. If convicted, Chambless and Bailey could be given longer sentences for multiple offenses.
Douglas said he may join forces with the state brand inspector, sheriff’s department and Kootenai County Cattleman’s Association in proposing a law that would make certain kinds of animal abuse a felony.
“We need to find some way so that the punishment is proportionate to the crime,” Douglas said.
, DataTimes