WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) - Animal control officers are accusing
a slaughterhouse owner of animal neglect after seizing sick livestock from his Watsonville ranch.

Santa Cruz County officials said eight emaciated goats and a sheep were all suffering from respiratory infections when they were removed from Toledo Harkins Slough Ranch on Saturday.

County animal control supervisor Todd Stosuy said officers returned to the facility Saturday after a veterinarian found several animals taken Thursday were sicker than initially thought.

Owner Efrain Toledo was cited with having a non-ambulatory animal at a slaughterhouse, failing to provide vet care and depriving an animal of food and water, all misdemeanors.

State agriculture officials said there was not an imminent food-safety concern at the slaughterhouse, which has not been closed.
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Information from: Santa Cruz Sentinel,
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-05-04-08 1507EDT