Dozens of Animal Cruelty Charges Lodged Against West Suffield Couple

Dozens of animal cruelty charges have been filed against a pair of West Suffield residents who own a Cornwall goat dairy where Department of Agriculture inspectors seized dozens of malnourished goats in January.

Tara Bryson, 40, and Michael Hearl, 43, of 1001 N. Stone St., West Suffield, are each facing 63 counts of cruelty to animals in connection with the Jan. 16 seizure at their Butterfield Farm cheese-making operation on Hautboy Hill Road in Cornwall.

After the herd of both mature and younger goats, most of which were found to be emaciated, the suspects are accused of failing to properly feed, water and provide access to appropriate shelter.

In a statement, Connecticut agriculture officials said, “The inadequate care left the goats unable to maintain a healthy body weight needed for growth and maintenance. The conditions also compromised the animals’ ability to handle cold weather, resist parasites and disease and to deal with other stressful conditions such as pregnancy.”

Bryson was arrested Thursday in West Suffield, and is free after posting a $60,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear March 10 in state Superior Court in Bantam, according to the agriculture department.

Hearl surrendered to Suffield police on Friday and was scheduled to be arraigned later in Bantam Superior Court, according to the agriculture department.

“This was an extremely complicated case that presented unique challenges both in handling the goats and in investigating the actions of their owners,” agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky said in a statement. “But this case also demonstrates that our department has no tolerance for the abuse and neglect of animals, and will do whatever it takes to hold accountable anyone who does not fulfill their responsibilities to livestock or pets in their care. I look forward to the resolution of this matter by our judicial system.”

The agriculture department has been granted ownership of the goats continue to recover at the department’s large-animal rehabilitation facility in Niantic under the care of State Veterinarian Dr. Mary J. Lis.

Each of the animal cruelty charges carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

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Photo: The recovering goats as seen Feb. 26, 2015 at the Connecticut Agriculture Department’s large-animal rehabilitation facility located at the York Correctional Facility in Niantic. Credit: Steve Jensen, CT Dept. of Agriculture.