News, Union Grove

Progress made in animal abuse case

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department released an update on the animal abuse complaint on a Brighton farm late Tuesday, calling the current conditions a “huge improvement.”

Sheriff David Beth said Tuesday that he will meet with sheriff’s department detectives and the district attorney this week to discuss the next steps in the investigations on the Schmeckel farms.

“The Schmeckel family continues to be very cooperative in this clean-up process and the conditions are now satisfactory,” Beth said.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an alleged animal abuse complaint on a farm in Brighton Township May 22, finding 52 deceased animals on a farm on 275-248th Avenue (Highway 75).

While investigating the first location, the sheriff’s department discovered a second location. The second farm, at 20801-First Street in Paris Township, had at least 30 dead calves.

Live calves were taken from the first property and moved to the farm of Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth. According to updates, there are no cattle left at the 248th Avenue location.

About 100 cattle remained at the First Street farm as of last week. The press release said that the Schmeckels have begun to reduce the size of the cattle herd at the First Street farm, allowing other farmers to purchase some of the cattle.

The status of the 15 calves moved to Beth’s farm will be determined following the meeting with the district attorney. Beth said the smaller calves of the 15 are showing improvement.

Deputies are continuing with daily inspections at the farms.

One Comment

  1. The clean up is happening so quickly because many of the local farmers in the area donated their time away from their farms to get it cleaned up.The fact remains that this farm has been in shambles for years! He needs to be held accountable. He better thank his lucky stars that all those farmers came to his rescue and shape up or shut down!!