State seeks to keep Redding goats, ‘dozens’ found dead
The state Department of Agriculture is seeking permanent ownership of 65 goats it seized from a Redding womam last week after claiming concerns about the goats’ well-being and the conditions of the property, including the presence of “dozens of dead goats,” according to a court filing this week.
Owner Nancy Burton has stated she believes the state “lacked legal cause” and interfered with plans to transfer all but nine goats to a sanctuary.
The court filing by the department, submitted Thursday, asks the state Superior Court to issue an order against Burton to show cause why the state shouldn’t be allowed to take temporary care and eventually full custody of the goats.
Alternatively, the department requested a hearing involving Burton over the care and custody.
“This is a sad and cruel case of animal neglect. No animal should ever suffer in this way,” Attorney General William Tong said in statement.
“State intervention is never our first choice. Resources and assistance are available to animal owners in need. That support was repeatedly offered and refused in this case. We are now left with no option but to seek permanent state custody to protect the health and safety of these goats and to get them the care they deserve.”
The seizure of the goats follows complaints — at least 120 according to a search and seizure warrant — filed to the police department since 2007, in addition to complaints filed to the state Department of
Agriculture. Complaints through the years were often connected to the goats roaming, according to citations and written warnings filed by police against Burton.
The search and seizure warrant, released last week, stated that between 10 and 12 goats had “extremely long hooves,” affecting their mobility, manure control was a “major concern,” and water was not being constantly provided or available.
Burton, who was not available for comment Friday, said last week the state’s charges “are without basis,” adding that she trims the hooves “regularly” and that they have “enjoyed ample water supply.”
Burton has previously tried to gain approval to be allowed more than nine goats on her property. She added that there were plans to send all but nine goats to animal sanctuaries “within the next two weeks or sooner.”
The new filing over custody and care, however, stated that “between 40 and 50 goats were discovered in multiple locations of the property in various stages of decomposition.”
Some were found “in plastic bags, inside trash containers and in totes,” the filing stated. Others were found in “a shallow pit that was covered by plywood.”
It was also stated that some of the living goats were “visibly underweight,” and others were found with missing fur or fur that was “matted and/ or caked in mud and manure.”
The court was also asked by the state to make a ruling regarding whether the animals were cruelly treated, neglected or in harm according to Connecticut statutes. If a judge rules in favor of the state, Burton could also have to pay up to $15 per day per goat for expenses incurred for food, shelter and care.
“Ensuring the health and welfare of domestic animals and livestock is a cooperative effort among multiple parties, including the town, our agency and the Attorney General to intervene and respond to these situations,” state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said in a statement.
“We encourage individuals experiencing hardship in caring for their animals to reach out for assistance and resources available to them.”