By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Cleanup continues on a pair of farms where the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department found dozens of dead calves over the holiday weekend.
According to a press release from the department, 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.
The 100-plus cattle that were still alive at the First Street address will remain there. The investigation by the department showed that those animals appeared to have been fed and are in good health, officials said.
According to an update from the sheriff’s department Tuesday afternoon, the cleanup of the two farms – both belonging to the Schmeckel family – is ongoing and “progress has been made.”
Sheriff Beth said daily inspections are occurring as planned, and the family is cooperating with the cleanup efforts.
About 10 area farmers assisted in the First Street property cleanup, clearing out the barns and removing a large amount of debris in and around the property.
The removal of animal waste and debris from the 248th Avenue property was expected to follow.
“Sheriff Beth remains committed to the completion of this process and has given the Schmeckel family one week to rectify the situation at the farms,” said Sgt. Dan Ruth in the press release.
Beth has also ordered daily inspections by deputies and detectives to continue. The press release stated that reports are being compiled and testing is taking place to determine the cause of the animal deaths.
“The entire case will have to be thoroughly reviewed by the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office prior to any possible charges being considered,” Ruth added.
The investigation could take days, if not weeks, to complete, Ruth stressed.
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This is nothing short of animal abuse and neglect. There is NO question as to whether or not charges should be considered. Gave them time to correct the situation? You can NOT rectify the lives of all those calves and heifers.There is no difference between someone owning a kennel and them being found in this deplorable condition. Whether ‘it got out of control or the calves got pneumonia” if Schmeckel’s were unable to afford a vet, food or a “D” shovel to clean the barn, there is NO excuse for what transpired. If they are not charged, the County set a precedence allowing others to neglect their pets or herds without ramifications. 81 animals died because of their neglect and inability to care for their animals in a humane manner. They could have always SOLD the animals, sent them to the stock yards, or given them away, but to let them suffer as they did is inexcusable. And WHY didn’t they call a to have the first dead animal removed? I’ll answer that, because they would have been turned in sooner, which would have been a blessing to the survivors. Schmeckels need to pay restitution for the cost of the clean up, removal of animals (dead and alive), be fined and sentenced for abuse and neglect, and a stipulation that they may NEVER own animals in the future. They can sell the farm to pay for their actions and sit in jail for a few years to think about the suffering they caused these animals.