A Watsonville man pleaded no contest earlier this month to failing to provide proper care and attention to several of his animals at a slaughterhouse on Lee Road.

Slaughterhouse owner Efrain Toledo Martinez, 54, was ordered to pay restitution of $868 to Santa Cruz County Animal Services and $190 in court costs.

Santa Cruz County animal control supervisor Todd Stosuy initiated the investigation on May 1, 2008, when he noticed a cow with a bloody horn from the road. Stosuy said that in addition to the injured cow, he found 12 ill, malnourished goats with overgrown, rotted hoofs, as well as several other animals that would have died if he had not intervened. Many were seen with their spines sticking out and ribs showing.

Animal Services impounded 20 goats, four baby goats, two sheep, one cow and two rabbits.

For the complete article see the 11-12-2009 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 11-12-2009 paper.

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