NEWPORT CITY, Vt. (AP) - A man has accepted a plea deal in connection to a case of animal cruelty in which at least 20 cows and other animals were deprived of food and care and died on a farm in Brownington, Vermont.
Authorities say the owners of the farm left the animals in the care of their son, 26-year-old, Donovan Steele, of South Carolina, who was unable to care for the animals without working equipment in last winter.
The Caledonian-Record reports he pleaded guilty to two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and a misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals; 11 other charges were dropped.
State police Cpl. Callie Field said she found thin animals standing in up to 2 feet of manure with indications of worms and starvation. Carcasses were buried in the manure pile.
Steele awaits sentencing.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.