Press Releases
03/19/2021
Attorney General Tong Moves for State Custody of 65 Neglected Goats
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong has moved for permanent state custody of 65 injured and neglected goats seized from Redding resident Nancy Burton earlier this month.The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, with the assistance of the Town of Redding and the Redding Police Department, executed a search and seizure warrant on March 10 for the goats located at 147 Cross Highway in Redding. The goats are currently being evaluated and treated by a veterinarian and are in temporary custody of the Department of Agriculture.
The Redding Police Department has received more than 120 complaints regarding roaming goats and violations of local ordinances since 2007. During that same period, the Department of Agriculture also received five complaints related to the condition of goats at the property and lack of care. On April 20, 2020, Redding Police investigated a car accident in which one of the goats was roaming in the road and was struck by a car. Nancy Burton was arrested and charged with Animal Cruelty. Her case is ongoing in Danbury Superior Court.
During execution of the search and seizure warrant on March 10, authorities discovered between 40-50 dead goats in multiple locations of the property in various stages of decomposition in plastic bags, piled underneath a tarp, inside trash containers, and partially buried. One recently deceased goat was found in a shelter, with straw around its hooves and displaced in a semi-circle pattern carved into the ground, indicating that the animal had been struggling for a significant amount of time before expiring. Authorities observed that the goats lacked adequate water. Several struggled to walk and needed medical attention. Some were visibly underweight, with missing or matted fur caked with mud and manure.
“This is a sad and cruel case of animal neglect. No animal should ever suffer in this way,” said Attorney General Tong. “State intervention is never our first choice. Resources and assistance are available to animal owners in need. That support was repeatedly offered and refused in this case. We are now left with no option but to seek permanent state custody to protect the health and safety of these goats and to get them the care they deserve.”
“Ensuring the health and welfare of domestic animals and livestock is a cooperative effort among multiple parties, including the town, our agency and the Attorney General to intervene and respond to these situations,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “We encourage individuals experiencing hardship in caring for their animals to reach out for assistance and resources available to them.”
The motion filed in Hartford Superior Court on behalf of the Department of Agriculture seeks permanent state custody of the animals. The motion also requests the court order Ms. Burton to provide daily compensation to the Department of Agriculture for the temporary care of the animals.
Removal of the animals is a last resort after attempting to work with the owner to voluntarily improve the standard of care. Resources and support are available for animal owners facing hardship. Livestock and domestic animal owners are urged to reach out to the Department of Agriculture for assistance.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Harding and Matthew Levine, Deputy Associate Attorney General/Chief of the Environment Section are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
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