SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - A major operation to move multiple emaciated cows from a Sunrise property continued on Wednesday as animal rescuers and police officers work to save them.
Members of the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Sunrise Police worked to corral the livestock days after a woman driving by spotted the animals in rough shape.
Some of the cows on the property, located along Hiatus Road and 44th Street, were also found dead.
“That could’ve been prevented, they’re out in the open. There’s burnt grass, there’s nothing there,” the woman said.
“We’re going to be removing all the cows from that property,” South Florida SPCA spokesperson Laurie Waggoner said.
For several hours Tuesday, crews chased after the animals using horses and lassos to guide them to a pen before moving them to a farm for treatment.
Seven cows from the property were transported to that farm on that day.
On Wednesday, eight more cows were rounded up.
“They’ll get medical attention, veterinary attention. They’ll be de-wormed. They’ll be vaccinated,” Waggoner said.
Officials said the property owner is cooperating with police in their investigation, but the cows’ owner, 32-year-old Rafael Antonio Guevara, was arrested last week. He was charged with several counts related to animal cruelty for another case in Miami-Dade County.
“Anytime you see a cow as skinny as some of these guys are, I’m always shocked,” Waggoner said.
The South Florida SPCA added once a court gives them custody of the animals, all of the cows will be sent to a sanctuary outside of Gainesville.
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