Owner of dead, ailing cows in Suffolk charged with cruelty

SUFFOLK

A 64-year-old farmer and businessman charged with eight counts of animal cruelty says cattle he owned suffered from a magnesium deficiency and not mistreatment.

Police charged William Lee Shelton of the 1200 block of Buckhorn Drive after an investigation that they said turned up five dead cows and 60 others in poor health. Necropsies performed on two of the cows showed they died of "starvation, malnutrition and dehydration," according to the Suffolk Police Department.

The charges, misdemeanors, can each carry as much as a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, said Lt. Debbie George, a police spokeswoman.

Shelton said he was in New York getting cancer treatment when he was notified. He said hay he fed the cows caused grass tetany, a mineral deficiency that can lead to quick death.

"In 1996, I lost 17 to the same thing," Shelton said.

Some of the cows were at least 15 years old, he said. Shelton said he has since taken his cattle off the hay. "There have been no problems since then."

Police said they received a complaint about the animals' health on Dec. 26.

Suffolk Animal Control, a local veterinarian and a representative from the Office of the State Veterinarian visited the pasture, located in the 1600 block of Ashburn Road. The local veterinarian euthanized two of the cows "to prevent further suffering," George said in an e-mail. Animal Control euthanized a calf.

Shelton said his family has raised cattle for more than 80 years and that he owns horses, dogs and other cows that are in fine health.

"I have 35 that didn't get this hay, and they're like a picture," he said.

"Do you think I want to lose these cattle?" Shelton said. "Do you think I don't want the money? Why would I keep them and starve them to death?"

Kristin Davis, (252) 441-1623, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com