A Cohoctah Township man is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 5 after officials found what they characterized as “70 deceased cows” on his property last year.
Keith Edwin Huck, 61, was originally charged with abandoning or cruelty to 10 or more animals, a four-year felony; failing to bury animals, a misdemeanor; and two other misdemeanors related to an “unkempt” dog.
In December, Huck pleaded guilty to reduced charges and agreed to pay $19,829 in restitution for the care of the remaining animals, which he has forfeited.
Authorities said warrants were issued Oct. 25 based on allegations that Huck was not providing adequate care for the cows and pigs on his farm.
Huck’s lawyer, Rebecca Roberts, did not return calls seeking comment and no one answered a Fowlerville number listed for Huck.
It is unclear how the cows died.
RELATED: Animal abuse charges pending after 70 dead cows found near Fowlerville
In a court hearing Oct. 25, Livingston County Animal Control Officer JD DeLaTorre said the investigation stemmed from a complaint and that “70 deceased cows, five emaciated cows that were still alive and three emaciated pigs” were discovered in barns on two properties owned by Huck. The dead cows, he said, were in “various states of decay.”
The investigation took place on two Cohoctah Township properties and also turned up a dog that “appeared to be unkempt,” with a double ear infection and fleas, DeLaTorre said, noting a neighbor complained of a bite from the dog.
One property was in the 4000 block of West Hayner, the other was identified only by its tax ID number, about a half-mile away.
The Livingston Daily initially incorrectly reported the location of the properties.
Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said his office agreed on the reduced charges after consultation with Livingston County Animal Control and additional information obtained during the investigation.
Huck ultimately pleaded to one count of abandoning or cruelty to one animal resulting in death, a misdemeanor; and one count of failing to bury animals. He pleaded no contest to two counts of unlicensed dog.
"This plea allows for the immediate adoption of the animals, which was of critical importance to Animal Control and the continued health of the animals that were seized," Vailliencourt said.
The $19,829 in restitution was to go toward the care of the five emaciated cows and three emaciated pigs while the case was pending, he said.
Huck is scheduled to appear for sentencing Feb. 5 before 53rd District Court Judge L. Suzanne Geddis.
He faces up to two years probation or 93 days in jail but, under the agreement, will be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea if the judge sentences him to jail time.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin at 517-552-2848 or lcolvin@livingstondaily.com or follow her on Twitter: @LauraColvin22