HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut officials have secured custody of nearly 200 animals that were found severely neglected on a farm last month.
State Attorney General William Tong said the state obtained custody of the animals during a court hearing in Hartford on Friday. He said the owner, Rachel Kornstein, of Manchester, agreed to relinquish custody of the animals.
“No animal should ever suffer as these animals did,” Tong said. “The animals were severely malnourished, dehydrated and diseased, and there was no way the owner was going to be able to provide the intensive care and rehabilitation that is required.”
State and local officials seized 18 cattle, 137 chickens, 33 ducks and six Great Pyrenees dogs from a Suffield farm last month, as a result of an investigation into complaints that the animals were being neglected.
Authorities said one cow died shortly after giving birth. There was also evidence of several dead and decaying chickens, officials said.
Kornstein was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. She posted $20,000 bail and is due back in court on March 3.
Her lawyer, Norman Pattis, said he is reviewing the charges.
“She’s no criminal,” Pattis said on Saturday.
Officials said most of the animals were brought to the Department of Agriculture Large Animal Rehabilitation Facility in Niantic.
–Associated Press
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