What would you do

[3 M L & C]

Know of an outfit here that has a big pasture but the owner lives three hours away. They graze the pasture in the summer almost like most people but then leave cattle there all winter and hired some local to go give them tubs and such. The only water is ponds that are getting dry and have seen some cows dead in the mud on the edge. This time of year the only thing to eat is wire grass and not to much at that. Now the whole thing is covered in snow and they didn't have much to eat in the first place the cows have made two laps a day around the huge pasture looking for anything to eat. Every coyote hunter within 40 miles knows of this pasture since there is always so many deads. They don't look good at all and my wife want me to feed them something. I don't like to see the animals starving but I can't feed them for the fun of it either. Suggestions?

 

[3 M L & C]

I got side tracked and forgot to mention part of the story. Once my wife came by and thought she saw a live cow in the edge of the pond so she called the sheriff to notify the owner as we didn't know who it was exactly at the time. Company name on the county map. Anyway she asked the Sheriff why they weren't taking care of the cattle and the response she got was "those are range cattle and are getting adiquite protein". The sheriff dosnt seem to care what happens.

 

[Denny]

I'd call some one from the State Board of Animal Health. Nothing motivates your local officials until you go over their head.

 

[Triangle Bar]

Perhaps your area veterinarian could direct you to the local ASPCA or intercede with law enforcement. Vets often work with LEOs on animal cruelty cases and their voice may have more weight because of their vocation and perceived professional detachment.

You could try calling the Sheriff's office again. I'm sure they get lots of neglect type calls and unfortunately they are probably dismissed because the typical call is from one of the general public and their ignorance of livestock operations shows through.

 

[MO STOCKER]

The owner may not know of the conditions if he thinks he has someone hired to take care of things. I'm pretty sure the hired guy's not communicating the whole story or there probably would be something done. Obviously the owner can't be making much money if it is like you say.

What would I do? Find out who the owner is and go talk to him. You never know, you may get a job close to home taking care of his cattle. The last thing I would do is go to the "authorities".

 

[3 M L & C]

The owner may not know of the conditions if he thinks he has someone hired to take care of things. I'm pretty sure the hired guy's not communicating the whole story or there probably would be something done. Obviously the owner can't be making much money if it is like you say.

What would I do? Find out who the owner is and go talk to him. You never know, you may get a job close to home taking care of his cattle. The last thing I would do is go to the "authorities".

Are you serious? This isn't just a one time thing it's every year also I know others have called the sheriff on them. You honestly don't think he knows the conditions his cattle are in when he rounds them up and sees how many are missing? He live three hours away not three states. The people he hires are the cheapest labor you can find believe me. I and others around have tried to rent lease buy or partner on this land but he's not interested.

 

[Silver]

Local newspaper might be interested.

 

[loomixguy]

Brand Inspector. I turned an anus in once for starving his cows. Didn't take long to get some action on it, either.

If this is an habitual problem, the neighbors are as guilty as the owner/caregiver....IMO. Report it ASAP.

 

[Faster horses]

I've turned people in before and like Denny and loomixguy said, you will hafta go over the local sheriff's head. Brand inspector is an excellent place to start and if that doesn't cause results then go to the state. If
you can get someone else to call too, that helps a lot.

Good luck! I really hate it when livestock aren't taken care of properly
and I don't have any patience for it.

 

[redrobin]

I'd take it up with the owner or go feed them if you think they should be fed.

 

[jigs]

if you feed them, and document the situation, then have a bill sent to him with a lien on the cattle or land.... sounds like the only way to get to this idiot is through his check book.

 

[Denny]

You would most likely get charged with trespassing for feeding them.

 

[LazyWP]

Brand Inspector. I turned an anus in once for starving his cows. Didn't take long to get some action on it, either.

If this is an habitual problem, the neighbors are as guilty as the owner/caregiver....IMO. Report it ASAP.

You forget, Kansas doesn't have brand inspectors. Besides, brand inspectors can't do much either. I know 1 brand inspector in this area, that turned someone in, and nothing ever came of it.

 

[rancherfred]

We had a situation in the community once similar to what you describe. I took pictures of the pile of dead cows, some which had died during calving and then went to some of the area banks. The guy had told us he had a note on the cattle and I had a few friends in the banking business. Of course they couldn't tell me if they had his note out right but they could visit among themselves until they figured out the right bank to go to. When I finally figured out which bank he had his note at I took the pictures and set down with a loan officer. I told them that I knew they couldn't discuss any of their loans but that I had some pictures they might like to see. When the loan officer saw the pictures he asked a few questions about what was going on out there and then said he would get them to the right person. There were people out there that afternoon fixing the problem.

 

[mrj]

Just a few things to consider: Often, we don't really know as much about the other persons business as we think we do; If one has been trying to lease, rent, or buy the property those cattle are on, that MAY make the 'interest' in those cattle somewhat suspect. However, if they are dying, there sure is SOMETHING wrong, whether it is what you believe or not is another story. Not saying you are wrong, but that appearances can decieve us with surprising ease at times.

IMO, best place to try to get better care for the cattle, if you are absolutely sure it's a bad situation, is the animal health (by whatever name used in your state) department of your state Livestock Department, state dept. of Ag, or whatever name used in your state. No luck there, try your Ag College for suggestions.
.

 

[loomixguy]

Brand Inspector. I turned an anus in once for starving his cows. Didn't take long to get some action on it, either.

If this is an habitual problem, the neighbors are as guilty as the owner/caregiver....IMO. Report it ASAP.

You forget, Kansas doesn't have brand inspectors. Besides, brand inspectors can't do much either. I know 1 brand inspector in this area, that turned someone in, and nothing ever came of it.

Figures the Wheat Heads wouldn't have brand inspectors. You musta had a real pi$$ poor one. The guy down this way gets things done.

 

[jigs]

brand inspectors are for areas with poor fences and crooked neighbors...neither are found in Kansas. :wink:

 

[LazyWP]

Brand Inspector. I turned an anus in once for starving his cows. Didn't take long to get some action on it, either.

If this is an habitual problem, the neighbors are as guilty as the owner/caregiver....IMO. Report it ASAP.

You forget, Kansas doesn't have brand inspectors. Besides, brand inspectors can't do much either. I know 1 brand inspector in this area, that turned someone in, and nothing ever came of it.

Figures the Wheat Heads wouldn't have brand inspectors. You musta had a real pi$$ poor one. The guy down this way gets things done.

My wife. And no she isn't pi$$ poor at it. There just isn't a whole bunch that can be done, as long as the sheriff is a part of the problem.

 

[LazyWP]

brand inspectors are for areas with poor fences and crooked neighbors...neither are found in Kansas. :wink:

You must not live in Hodgemen, Edwards, Saline, or Ottawa counties, 'cause there are poor fences and crooks on all of them. :roll:

 

[loomixguy]

brand inspectors are for areas with poor fences and crooked neighbors...neither are found in Kansas. :wink:

Now THAT is pure BS!

Ever heard of a family in Jewell county with the last name starting with the letter "V"?