Deputies Looking for Cattle Thieves
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
HOUSTON COUNTY – Houston County Sheriff Office (HCSO) published a request to the public to help them find those responsible for the theft of 14 cows, located in an abandoned trailer, leading to most of those cows perishing after being left behind by parties still unknown.
Houston County Sheriff Zak Benge and Chief Deputy Ryan Martin took a minute from their search to update The Messenger on the investigation – a crime which outraged many in the area, for its cruelty, for its brazenness – causing ranchers and animal lovers to express anger over how the cows died in horrible circumstances in the trailer.
The trailer was reported abandoned along Highway 19, but due to the black color of the cows, the dark conditions and the fact the cows had already huddled together and laid down for the last time together, it was assumed the trailer was empty and the trailer was given a low priority given other business deputies were working that night.
When they finally came to investigate, they found the 14 head of cattle jumbled inside, unable to get up in the cramped trailer, with most already having succumbed to exposure, hunger and wound suffered by the crowded conditions. Once one laid down, the rest followed suit, leading to the death of most of the small herd. Experts surmised the cows had been dead about 12 hours.
The cows, heavy-bred Angus cows, packed into a 20 foot trailer, had earlier been stolen from the northern part of Houston County. The owner, according to Martin, was identified through brand markings on the cows, lives outside of the county, but was able to confirm the theft.
With an assist from a couple of local cowboys, deputies were able to remove the cows, with eight already being dead, with only two out of the fourteen surviving the ordeal.
The cattle trailer itself was not reported stolen, leading to deputies still trying to track down leads on both the owner of the trailer and any information from witnesses who may have seen the trailer or the theft itself.
The heavy weight of the cows, packing in such crowded conditions, led to two tires blowing out, before the thieves most likely unhooked from the trailer, abandoning the entire load by the side of the road.
HCSO reported they have received excellent tips from the public but is asking for anyone with information about the theft to please contact them at (936) 544-2862. Those responsible face not only charges for theft, but 14 counts of animal cruelty.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
