Dale E. Putman Jr., 69, of Maryland, was arrested after the Otsego County Sheriff’s deputies were called to his farm for a complaint of possible dead animals.

Upon arrival, deputies could allegedly smell the odor of dead animals from the barn, and during the course of the investigation, allegedly located 20 dead cows in various states of decomposition inside the barn.

In addition, deputies allegedly found four additional dead cows in the fields, and one cow was in poor health from from giving birth to a calf and had to be euthanized.

The Sheriff’s Office was helped at the scene by Leatherstocking Veterinary Group and the Susquehanna SPCA, and 17 remaining cattle were taken in by local farmers for safe keeping until the end of the investigation and court proceedings.

Putman was charged with six counts of Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals: failure to provide proper sustenance, a Class A Misdemeanor under the state’s Agriculture and Markets law. He was issued an appearance ticket for the Town of Maryland Court and is scheduled to appear at a later date.

For more information visit our publishing partner at AllOtsego.com

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