RUSK COUNTY (KYTX) -- People in Rusk County accuse a local ranch owner of abandoning his cattle, leaving two dead animals on the property in the last 3 months.
The sheriff's office has been investigating a third cow reportedly abandoned too.
CBS 19's Abby Broyles spoke with neighbors and the sheriff's office today. We want to warn you the video you are about to see is graphic.
It's a heartbreaking sight to see for Tammy Koonce, passing by a cow on a neighbor's ranch every day.
"This animal, she's suffering every day that she's laying here," Koonce said. "You can't let them suffer."
On the same ranch she and other drivers also see this cow's skeleton. A livestock owner herself, she first noticed the living cow down on December 30th, and she took this picture.
Then three days later, when she says the cow hadn't been moved by its owner, she reported it to the Rusk County sheriff's office. Rick hale, the owner of the longhorn ranch, lives in Troup about 45 minutes away.
The sheriff's office tells CBS 19 they've investigated the matter, and they say the owner hasn't broken the law. Under Texas law, you are required to provide necessary food, shelter and care for any animals you own and they say he's doing that.
Tammy's still worried.
"It's already been 2 weeks as of yesterday, she's been laying on her legs, laying in feces, in urine and she's just beginning to wither away, you can tell the difference in her size," Koonce said.
CBS 19 spoke with owner rick hale on the phone Friday afternoon. He says they can't move the cow, and she's "down" because she's 14 years old, and recently had a calf.
He's says he's trying to take care of her.
"I'm gonna have to start picking her up by the hips and see if they can get circulation back in her legs to possibly stand up," Hale said.
But as for the dead cows on the property, Hale would only say he's aware of what's going on.
"They need to make a decision on what they're going to do with her," Koonce said.
As for having the living cow euthanized, the owner tells us he doesn't want to lose the money he's invested.
Those with the SPCA tell CBS 19 they only get involved if law enforcement calls them.
That has not happened in this case, and the sheriff's office says it's up to the owner what happens next.
