Animals Removed
Horses, cows, cats taken from farmBy BRIAN FERRY bferry@timesobserver.com
A major operation by the Warren County Humane Society resulted in the seizure of almost 30 animals from a Columbus Township farm on Thursday.
The animals, 10 cows, 13 horses, and six cats, were taken by humane officers from the Darcy Durlin farm on Route 6 in Columbus Township.
No charges have yet been filed in the case.
However, Warren County Humane Society Cruelty Officer Karen Kolos expects to file charges soon.
"There are violations here," she said.
She said charges will be based on the cruelty to animals law. Each summary count carries a fine of $50 to $750.
The absence of clean drinking water for some animals, too little food of insufficient quality, inadequate shelter, and a lack of veterinary care are some of the conditions for which those responsible may face charges, she said.
Only one horse had access to clean water, Kolos said.
The coats of several horses were caked with mud and manure. "They had no place to lay that was dry," she said.
According to rescue workers, some of the draft horses were as much as "800 to 1,000 pounds underweight."
Some of the horses were also infested with lice, Kolos said.
Ribs and hip bones of the beef cattle were obviously visible in many cases. "When you have animals in the weather, they have to have a lot of weight," Kolos said.
The cats were removed after officers found them to be underfed and infested with parasites, Kolos said. Some were also injured, she said.
"Someone's responsible for this," she said. "They will be charged."
"We want to solve this quickly in the best interest of the animals," Kolos said.
Kolos was joined at the farm for several hours Thursday by officers from the Warren and Erie county humane societies, veterinarian Dr. Eric Twitchell, animal rescue workers, state police, and local farmers with trailers to help haul the animals away.
Twitchell examined the animals, Kolos said. "He was saying there were several at risk, others that needed medical attention."
Hog Heaven Rescue Farm of Cochranton, Double Rainbow Farm of Lander, and Richard Gilkinson of Russell, assisted humane officers, providing expertise and equipment.
Corry-based state police also assisted at the scene.
A number of animals were left at the farm, including a dog, a goose, and several ducks.
Repeated attempts by officials to capture a seventh cat were unsuccessful.
Kolos said a number of reports of problems with animals at the farm were filed with the society.
"We've received reports," she said. "I've had calls from people driving by" in which they said they saw dead animals and undernourished animals. "The Department of Agriculture in Meadville called me concerning the dead cows."
Kolos had a search warrant for the property. She said a search revealed three dead horses and two dead cows.
"Dr. Twitchell believed that they starved," she said.
According to Kolos, dead livestock must, by law, be buried within a certain period of time.
According to Kolos, she tried to make contact through a variety of means with the Durlins more than once last year in attempts to prevent Thursday's situation. "We try to work with the people," Kolos said. "We give them suggestions. We try to help them with their situation."
In the Durlin case, Kolos said she "asked them to reduce the herd" and "talked about feed."
Kolos said the Durlins complied with her direction to erect shelters for the cows during one of those earlier contacts.
Travis Durlin and Jared Durlin assisted officials at the scene.
They declined comment.
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reggie
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03-13-09 8:38 PM
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Please be supportive of the human society and it's efforts to take these animals. Yes, the court system sometimes fails in it's protection, but let's support those that are out there trying to do what is right. Hay is needed. Call the huamne society about donations.
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kiki1220
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03-13-09 6:03 PM
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Things like this make me sick, and to know they actually dont get any punishment is even worse! They will just go out and buy more animals. I am wondering why some poor animals were left at the so called farm?
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concerned
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03-13-09 5:58 PM
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This is a horrible situation, one I have watched all this past winter and last summer. These people do not deserve to have animals nor to call themselves farmers. Too bad the punishment won't fit the crime. As someone else mentioned, at least others will know what awful people they are now.
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Brenda
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03-13-09 12:48 PM
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Until the punishment fits the crime nothing will change. They will get what amounts to a slap on the wrist and a fine. The only good thing is that by reporting it in the paper other people now know what awful people they are.
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