Shawano County man charged with neglecting cows

By The Associated Press

CREATED Jun. 18, 2012

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SHAWANO- A Shawano County man is charged with neglecting cows on his farm.

Fifty-year-old Joseph Brunner appeared in court Monday.

According to the complaint, deputies arrested Brunner Friday after questioning him about dead animals found on his farm in the Town of Belle Plaine.  A neighbor complained to authorities after noticing "a strong smell of rot" and "large flies."

Brunner told authorities that the animals had been sick with pneumonia and wasting disease. The first began dying in November and the last died in early March.

Brunner was released on a $10,000 signature bond.  The court ordered him not to have direct care of animals, including pets. He has 72 hours to dispose of the remaining carcasses.

WLUK-TV reports neither the assistant district attorney nor Brunner's attorney would comment.