2 Pigs Killed, 40 Animals Removed Due To 'Inhumane Conditions' At Forest Hill Property

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Forty animals have been removed from a Forest Hill property and two pigs were euthanized on the scene by the owner due to what officials say are inhumane conditions there.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on a property in the 500 block of West Jarrettsville Road on Aug. 8 after receiving nearly 50 complaints about the welfare of animals kept at this property since 2015. Numerous written warnings and verbal warnings have been issued for violations found at the property regarding "abuse or neglect of animal(s) due to the owner failing to provide veterinary care and failure to provide proper shelter."

The latest investigation started July 17 when new complaints were filed about the welfare of animals at that same property. County animal control officers headed out and saw several incidents of animals being mistreated, abused and neglected, the county sheriff's office stated.

"On that day, two noticeable violations were the lack of potable water and animals walking with a severe limp, with one seriously injured. An animal control officer spoke with the property owner about the conditions observed, including the injuries, as well as the debris and mud in the troughs. The owner was instructed to have the injured animals seen by a Maryland licensed veterinarian within 24 hours and pursuant to a two-day mandate called for in State Code, the rest of the herd were required to be inspected and treated by a licensed veterinarian," the sheriff's office stated in a news release.

On July 18, the owner took the injured animals to a local veterinarian and due to the severity of injuries, emaciated state and overall conditions reported, the owner had the two ewes euthanized. However, the owner had not made arrangements for the mandated inspection and was offered an extension by the animal control officer to comply. A date for the inspection was set for July 22, the sheriff's office reported.

During the July 22 inspection, the pen now included goats and pigs in addition to the sheep. The Maryland State licensed veterinarian on site noted multiple concerns related to the conditions on the property and the condition and welfare of the animals, and gave the owner two weeks to make appropriate accommodations for the animals. While on scene, the veterinarian asked to inspect a separate pen on the back of the property. In that 10×10 metal pen, five sheep and four chickens were found without shelter, bedding or water. It was explained to the owner that he would be allotted the two weeks, per State Code, to fix the issues or the animals would be seized and removed from the property, the sheriff's office stated.

On Aug. 5, Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies and animal control officers arrived at the property to inspect for compliance with State Code. They found that none of the improvements that needed to had been made by the two-week grace period had been done and even more animals had been added to the pen. The owner said he was going to sell off part of the herd. Later that day, a 24-hour notice required by statute was tagged on the property, according to the sheriff's office.

On Aug. 6, during the final state mandated inspection, the property was still not in compliance with the law or instructions provided by the veterinarian. At the time, a search and seizure warrant was obtained through the Circuit Court of Maryland, the sheriff's office reported.

On Aug. 8, deputies and animal control officers served the warrant at the property. A Harford County licensed veterinarian, out of concern for the welfare of the remaining animals, removed 40 animals that were taken to a local shelter to receive medical care. Due to poor health, two pigs were euthanized on scene by the owner, according to the sheriff's office.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 410-638-3505.