State May Take Action Against Sidney Farmer Over Dead Animals

SIDNEY — An investigation into a Sidney farmer who allegedly left dead livestock where they dropped on his property has been referred to the Attorney General’s Office for enforcement. State rules require farmers to remove, compost or bury dead livestock, but animals found on Mark Gould’s property were left where they died, according to Matthew Randall, inspection supervisor for the department’s agricultural compliance program. Gould admitted Thursday that there were dead animals on his property during the winter, but he said that they had been cleaned up and composted. “Animals die, just like anywhere else,” he said, but declined to comment further. Last summer, Gould was charged with animal trespassing after goats he owned repeatedly escaped onto Drummond Road and state property along Interstate 95. In 2011, Gould was charged with animal trespassing after several of his cows were seen grazing along the interstate. According to Randall, investigators first visited Gould’s property on March 21, responding to complaints of dead livestock visible at the farm. Investigators observed the carcasses of three cattle and an undetermined number of chickens, Randall said.