Dead cows at ‘deplorable’ farm

Couple charged with animal cruelty, child endangerment

STOCKBRIDGE, N.Y. >> A Madison County duo is in custody after “deplorable” farm conditions lead to an animal death and cruelty investigation.

Caleb Cottrell, of Stockbridge, was arrested late last week and charged with eight counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, after sheriff’s deputies and investigators, in cooperation with the USDA Office of the Inspector General, searched Cottrell’s farm at 6559 Trew Hill Road.

The conditions of the residence and the farm were “deplorable,” police say, with four dead cattle located in two separate barns. Four horses were located in a separate barn, and upon examination by a veter-

inarian, were deemed in distress and seized. The horses were transported to a regional animal sanctuary for care and are expected to make a full recovery, according to police.

Caleb and his wife, Tiffany Cottrell, 33, were also each charged with endangering the welfare of a child due to their child living in the “deplorable conditions” of the residence, police say.

Both were issued appearance tickets directing them to appear at the Stockbridge Town Court at a later date to answer the charges.

United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA) staff concerns prompted a request to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to investigate alle- gations of animal cruelty at the farm. The request came in March.

USDA representatives said they conducted a site visit to Cottrell’s farm and their inspection raised concerns for the health of his cows. The visit was prompted after reports were received by the USDA detailing how between February of 2016 and March 2017, approximately 68 cows had been rendered due to death.

PHOTO COURTESY MADISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Rescued horses being loaded and rescued from a Stockbridge farm operated by Caleb Cottrell. Cottrell is facing multiple animal cruelty charges following a jointpolice investigation.