02/05/10 - Hardin County
A livestock serial killer is on the loose, according to one man whose Black Angus cow was shot between the eyes last weekend.
"I didn't know what to
think," J. Crotts said about his cow who was killed. "Ain't
no need to be cruel to animals. If they'd had something
against me, why not come talk to me about it?"
Crotts was not the only one
who lost an animal. According to Hardin County Sheriff
Sammy Davidson, five animals have been the target of a
gunman since last weekend: two horses, two donkeys and
Crotts' cow.
Davidson believes the animals
were assassinated by the same gunman, who shot the animals
with the same weapon from the road each time.
Crotts has no idea who or why
anyone would want to harm the animals. "It may be drugs. It
may be just a kick. I have no idea."
He has now moved his
remaining eight cows and one bull to a pasture that is
farther away from the road, in hopes of keeping the butcher
at bay.
Davidson said the person
responsible for the shootings will face aggravated animal
cruelty charges. He also said he may file reckless
endangerment charges because the animals were shot so near
to homes.