A Cornwall farm operator, accused of mistreating dairy goats, has been arrested on animal cruelty charges. Tara Bryson, who operates Butterfield Farm Co. with her boyfriend, Michael Hearl, was arrested Thursday.
Bryson declined to comment in a story for The Republican-American, but criticized the tactics used against her. She and Hearl told state inspectors they were treating the goats for worms.
From the story:
Suffield police Detective Justin Fuller said Bryson, 40, of West Suffield, initially was held on $60,000 bond, but she posted bond later in the day for an appearance in either Enfield or Hartford Superior Court at a future date. It cost Bryson $4,350 to pay a bondsman, though it wasn't clear Thursday who posted it.
Inspectors seized the goats on January 16. Court records said the animals were hungry, "thin, cold and lethargic" with many lying in piles on top of each other.
Seventy-two goats taken to an animal rehabilitation center in Niantic are doing well, though 53 died before they could be removed.
Butterfield Farm was barred from selling dairy products after the Department of Agriculture said the cheese processing facility lacked proper sanitation and record-keeping.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
