New Mexico Livestock Board closer to resolving animal cruelty case involving emaciated cattle Another rancher will buy cattle; proceeds will reimburse state for feed, transportation costs (ALBUQUERQUE) – The New Mexico Livestock Board is closer to resolving an animal cruelty case involving approximately 1,500 head of cattle in very poor condition on a ranch near Fort Sumner. Judge Albert Mitchell Jr. of the 10th Judicial District Court issued a court order yesterday that will allow the owner of the Double V Ranch, Richard Evans, to sell his entire herd to a buyer in Pampa, Texas. The Livestock Board will maintain oversight of the cattle until they can be transported. The process of hauling them will begin tomorrow, assuming the cattle pass inspection. A licensed veterinarian along with NMLB staff will determine which animals, if any, are too weak or sick to make the four-hour trip to Pampa. “We are grateful that an agreement was reached with Mr. Evans,” said Ray Baca, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Livestock Board. “The agreement ensures that New Mexico taxpayers will no longer be paying to make up for the lack of care these cattle have been getting during the extreme drought.” Under the court order, proceeds from the sale will be held by the court until all court fees have been paid and until the state is reimbursed the costs it has incurred in feeding and caring for the cattle over the last several days. The balance of funds will be determined by the courts. Yesterday’s agreement follows the execution of a seizure warrant last week by the Livestock Board; that warrant allowed the law enforcement agency to seize Evans’ cattle. The Livestock Board has since provided nearly 40 tons of hay to the cattle, some of which were too weak to stand to even eat. Prior to yesterday’s agreement, 636 of the healthier cattle had been moved from the parched ranch to Clayton so that they could be fed more easily until a court decision could be made. Evans still faces animal cruelty charges.
Posted on: Fri, 31 May 2013 22:49:24 +0000
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