Published Tuesday, October 29, 2002
have 30 days
to fatten cattle
Herald Staff Writer
Mercer County Humane Society agents who planned to remove 30 head of cattle Monday from an East Lackawannock Township Farm decided to give the farm's owners time to reverse the herd's condition.
Humane Society agents said last week that cattle Robert J. and Sarah Bagnall's farm at 299 Flat Road were starving and would be removed. Agents said 14 pigs at the farm were in good condition.
Bagnall, 81, was cited by police Thursday after kicking Humane Agent Cyndi Sankey, 45, of Greenville in the leg. Ms. Sankey, who wasn't injured, was there to inform the couple about the removal.
On Monday, agents were considering sending the animals either to Mercer Livestock Auction or an auction in New Wilmington to be sold off, but reached an agreement with the Bagnalls.
The agreement will allow the couple 30 days to rehabilitate the animals and meet their nutritional needs. If the situation is rectified agents won't intervene.
Mrs. Bagnall, 78, said she has no problem with the agreement, but maintains that her entire herd of cattle was judged by one sick cow.
A farm hand told agents he put a chain around the neck of a cow he thought was dead and dragged it out of the field and over a hill. But when Humane agents arrived two days later, the cow was still alive, Ms. Sankey said.
A veterinarian euthanized the cow, which agents said only had a 10 percent chance of survival.
Ms. Sankey said that when agents went the farm Thursday there was no hay for the cows. When agents returned the next day someone put hay out for the animals, she said. Ms. Sankey said the hay was moldy and noted that the Bagnalls' pasture is all dirt and mud and the barn is falling apart. She just thinks it's time for the Bagnalls to retire.
"These people are not financially or physically able to do farming like they used to. I think this is just a pride thing. (Bagnall) has been a farmer his entire life. We don't want to fine him billions of dollars, but we have to do something," she said.
Mrs. Bagnall said she and her husband are doing the best they can to care for the animals. She said they pay $600 a month for her husband's medication and about $100 for hers. Bagnall, who is on dialysis, has had three strokes and is no longer able to work on the farm, she added. Two hired hands and family members help around the farm.
Several local farmers and agents gathered Monday at the Bagnall's farm in support of the couple.
"These cows are on the thin side, but they're not starving," said Greg McKean, who owns a feed operation in Mercer. "To move in to take a person's cattle without notification is not right. This is his livelihood," he added.
Janie Whetzel, Bagnall's granddaughter, who also showed up at the farm, said she was satisfied an agreement was reached. She said her grandfather had no right to kick Ms. Sankey, but he's a proud man.
"They're very proud people and they're not going to ask for a hand out. They'll give you everything they have. If they thought they weren't taking good care of the animals they would give every single one away. That's where the pride comes in," Mrs. Whetzel said.
Dr. William Crawford, a veterinarian from Mercer, came to help work out an agreement to resolve the situation. He said the same 30-day policy was recently used in a Lancaster County case as well.
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com