CORNWALL — Thirteen of the goats seized from a Cornwall farm in an animal-cruelty case are being offered to the public through a sealed-bid auction by the state Department of Agriculture (DOA).
The goats (three adults and 10 others between 7 and 9 months old) are disease-free and suitable to be returned to agricultural production.
The department has been rehabilitating the 74 neglected, mostly sickly goats seized in January from the Butterfield Farm herd. Company owners Tara Bryson and Michael Hearl were each charged with 63 counts of animal cruelty. Their cases are pending in court.
Meanwhile, the goats — and 23 kids born since — have been cared for in a Niantic, Conn., state facility. Forty-eight with incurable diseases were already sold as livestock, as part of a plan by the DOA.
The goats now being made available can be returned to the production cycle without fear of disease being passed on in milk or to offspring.
Twelve goats have been placed in a rescue sanctuary. The 23 kids will be offered to youth groups such as FFA and 4-H.
Bid questionnaires must be completed and returned to the DOA by the close of business on Aug. 10. For more information and photos of all available goats, go to www.CTGrown.gov.
