media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2011
Contact:
Christi Lightcap, CDA, (303) 239-4190, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us
Undersheriff Monte Gore, PCSA, (719) 836-2494,
Mgore@parkco.us
Park County Resident Found to
have
“Mistreated and Neglected the
Cattle Under his Care”
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – On
December 15, 2011, a Park County judge barred Vernon E. Wagner, of Park County,
from owning, managing, controlling, or otherwise possessing cattle in Park
County. The ruling stems from a joint
investigation by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Park County
Sheriff’s Office.
Vernon E. Wagner of Park
County owned a number of cattle and was under contract to care for additional
livestock. In May 2010, nearly 400 of
those cattle were gathered based on the discovery of at least 140 dead cows and
many emaciated cattle. Wagner was then
deemed an “unfit owner” of those cattle by the courts. Through a temporary restraining order, the
rest of Wagner’s herd was to remain under his care with specific orders
pertaining to their proper care as well as a provision that allowed welfare
checks by CDA.
The conclusion of the
process occurred on December 15, 2011, when Judge Stephen A. Groome, District
Court, Park County, ordered a permanent injunction against Wagner. Groome explained that testimony during the
trial “…constitutes very strong and convincing evidence of Wagner’s dismal
failure to provide adequate nutrition for the cattle
under his control.”
Judge Groome also
stated, “the court finds and concludes that, unless Wagner is permanently
restrained from cattle ranching in Park County, he will continue to neglect and
mistreat the cattle under his control in violation of the Animal Protection
Act; and that merely ordering Wagner to comply with the Animal Protection Act’s
provisions would prove meaningless and would result in more Wagner cattle being
abused, mistreated, and neglected.”
A court appointed receiver
has possession of the cattle and will care for them until they are sold.
Park County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Fred Wegener
“Sargent Bobbi Priestly,
Deputy Bramlett, and Deputy Hardy were pleased with Judge Groome’s decision. I am very proud of this collaborative effort
between the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Park County Sheriff’s
office.”
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Dr. Keith Roehr, State Veterinarian
“I know Colorado’s cattle industry shares our deep concerns about the improper care and treatment of these cattle; our livestock industry is a vital part of Colorado’s culture and our ranchers are dedicated to protecting their livestock.”
Colorado Livestock
Association
Bill Hammerich, CEO
“The Colorado Livestock Association supports the findings, conclusions and orders in this case. Colorado’s livestock industry is dedicated to the care of their animals and we appreciate the effort put forth by both state and local officials who provided the evidence and testimony needed by the court to arrive at their decision.”
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association
Terry Fankhauser, Executive Vice President
“Members of the Colorado
Cattlemen’s Association hold in high regard proper animal care and husbandry
and have no tolerance for animal abuse.
The real testament that this case serves is to illustrate, is that
Colorado’s systems to stem, report and punish those who break our animal care
laws are fully functional and are not in need of remedy.”
The Colorado Department
of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) played an important role in
furthering the investigation. Each year,
the BAP investigates more than 12,000 reports of animal cruelty and neglect in
Colorado. Citizens with concerns for
animal care and welfare are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement
agency or BAP. For more information or
to file a cruelty/neglect report, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/animals and
click on “Bureau of Animal Protection.
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Editor’s Note: Please contact Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us for photos, the injunction document, and the receivership document.