Claypool Man Facing Charges After 11 Dead Cattle And Malnourished Dog Found In Barn
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Amanda Bridgman-abridgman@timesuniononline.com
A Claypool man is facing animal complaint charges after 11 dead cattle were found in his barn, along with a tied-up dog who was malnourished.
Eric L. Decker, 62, of 1443 W. CR 700S, Claypool, was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail at 7:55 p.m. Saturday and faces charges for failure to properly dispose of a dead animal, a Level 6 felony; and two Class A misdemeanor charges for cruelty to an animal.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed Oct. 2 in Kosciusko Superior Court II, on July 11 a Claypool police officer was trying to locate the owner of stray cattle in the area of a barn directly south of 7617 S. CR 200W, Claypool. In the barn, the officer discovered live cattle in the lower level of the old barn that were living, walking and laying with a number of dead cattle, according to court papers.
On July 13, Kosciusko County Animal Control Officer deputy Jeff Clark went to the barn and was able to observe, through an opening in the barn, three living cattle, along with skeletons or decomposing bodies of what he believed to be six dead cattle. Clark could see that the cattle broke through a partition of the barn to get to an area that had a barrel with water in it, but he could not see any feed or hay for the cattle, according to the affidavit.
The following day, on July 14, Clark served a search warrant at the property and found three living cattle and 11 dead cattle in various stages of decomposition in the lower level of the barn, according to court papers. Some were skeletons, others were covered in their hide, and one was in the early stages of decomposition, the affidavit states. During the search of the barn, no feed, hay or water was available for the cattle. Also discovered in the lower level of the barn was a dog in an enclosed area chained to a large, heavy pallet, according to court papers. The dog did not have food or water available and appeared to have a broken front leg that did not heal properly.
Dr. Bruce Lamb, a veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, was also present on scene with Clark, according to court papers, and said the living cattle were suffering from starvation, and the dog was suffering from malnourishment. Lamb also noted that the dead animals were clearly not disposed of within the 24 hour timeline that is required by law.
When police spoke with Decker, according to the affidavit, Decker said, “It’s my fault,” and told police he works third shift, drives truck and does custom hay bailing. Decker also told police, according to court papers, that he does feed the cattle and dog everyday, although police could not find traces of any foot paths in the overgrown weeds.
