Miniature horses, chickens, goats, rabbits and other pets were killed on Tuesday in an animal shooting at a farm in the United States. A 39-year-old man was arrested.
The massacre of more than 80 animals took place at a farm in the Prunedale area. The man had been living there, but was not employed by the farm. Law enforcement officials reported that he used an illegal assault weapon along with rifles, shotguns, and handguns to kill the animals.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s office, the man shot 81 animals in total. He killed almost all animals, leaving five parakeets severely injured. The birds had to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for 24 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Andy Rosas of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department told the Los Angeles Times. “Being an animal lover, they become part of your family, and for them to be taken in this manner is horrible.”
Investigators later found that the man had stashed at least 15 firearms on the property. Police have not yet established a motive for the attack.
The man has been charged with cruelty to animals and illegal possession of an assault weapon. His initial bail was first set at $50,000. Detectives were able to get a bail enhancement. He is now held at the Monterey County Jail on $1,000,000 bail.
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