38 Dead Cows Discovered On Union Co. Farm; Owner Arrested

An investigator made a horrific discovery on a large cattle farm in Union County earlier this month.

(Union County, Ind.) – A Union County farmer is facing animal cruelty charges after dozens of dead cows were discovered on his farm.

The Richmond Palladium-Item reports that Rodney Sintz, 42, of West College Corner, is charged with three counts of Failure to Property Dispose of a Dead Animal (level 6 felony) and Cruelty to an Animal (class A misdemeanor). He could face up to 2 ½ years on each of the felony charges, if convicted.

The newspaper cited court documents in reporting that an Indiana State Board of Animal Health field veterinarian was asked to investigate Sintz’s farm on South Brookville Pike on March 5. The inspector determined 38 cows were found dead and in various stages of decomposition on the property.

State law requires animals to be properly disposed of within 24 hours of the owner having knowledge that the animal died.

Another 50 to 100 cows in Sintz’s herd appeared to be below normal body weight. About half of the herd did not have access to food or water, according to the report.

The BOAH has recommended that the surviving livestock be impounded. An order was granted Friday by a Union County judge.