A Blairstown man is facing animal abuse charges after an investigation by the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and the township police department revealed dead and neglected animals on his farm.
Ryan Whitmore, 37, who prosecutors said operated a farm he rented on Dean Road, was charged with multiple counts of animal abuse violations on February 24th.
According to County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer, Blairstown police were contacted by the township animal control officer on November 29th of last year about an investigation of the farm. Pfeiffer alleged deceased livestock was found on the property and that an adult cow that was nonambulatory was discovered.
In addition, the floor of a barn was entirely covered with manure and mud with no dry bedding for the animals and that multiple objects that cause injury to the livestock were found in the barn and pastureland.
Multiple visits to the farm by officials also found no water access for the cows, horses and goats, Pfeiffer said.
Whitemore was charged with two counts of third-degree failure to provide a living animal or creature with necessary care; four counts of fourth-degree failure to provide a living animal or creature with the necessary care; and 10 counts of disorderly persons. failure to provide a living animal or creature with the necessary care.
