A Penn Township man was ordered to serve two years on probation and repay humane agents more than $21,000 in connection with about a dozen malnourished cows that were confiscated from his property in March.
David Parsons, 60, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and 18 other related offenses after authorities responded to Parson’s property upon receiving reports that a cow appeared to be partially buried in mud at the farm near the Penn Township and Jeannette border.
In court this week, Parsons was accepted into the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program for first-time nonviolent offenders, which will allow his criminal record to be expunged once his probation term expires. Prosecutors dismissed 10 related summary offenses. As a condition of the program, Parsons did not plead guilty to the remaining felony count and nine other misdemeanor animal cruelty offenses.
“We usually don’t offer ARD in animal cruelty cases, but this is an unusual case because of the cows. This is the best way to resolve this with all the animals involved,” Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger said.
According to court records, humane officers claimed Parsons initially refused to allow the partially buried cow to be euthanized following its rescue and after it was determined the animal was in severe distress. A followup inspection a day later found a group of cows on the property to be malnourished, dehydrated and generally neglected, humane officers said.
Humane officer Cassie Wilson said 10 animals were confiscated and the cow that was partially buried was euthanized.
The surviving animals are being cared for at local farms.
“They are doing exceptional and living like a cow should,” Wilson said.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears ordered Parsons pay $21,208 in restitution within 10 days to All But Furgotten of North Huntingdon for care of the confiscated animals.
Parsons will be permitted to retain possession of his dog, Agape, but is subjected to random wellness checks by humane agents. He is prohibited from having any other animals in his care for the next two years.
Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich by email at rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .