Monday July 7, 2008, 10:12 am
Franklin County, Iowa, resident and cattle farmer Larry Doane reportedly forced a number of his cows to live with horribly overgrown hooves. Alarming video footage recorded by local residents shows that the cows, who sloshed around a muddy Iowa field, were crippled by neglect. Worse yet, instead of humanely euthanizing these suffering animals or providing them with the care that is required by law, Doane reportedly moved them to an undisclosed location—ossibly a slaughterhouse.

We have asked authoritiesto locate the cows and ensure that they are no longer suffering, but authorities have shown little urgency about this case. Now these animals need your help!

Please contact officials, and politely urge them to locate the cows with the overgrown hooves immediately and ensure that a veterinarian humanely euthanizes the animals. Urge officials to charge Doane as appropriate. Ask that—if convicted and in addition to serving a period of incarceration—Doane be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling at his own expense. Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers, please also ask that officials take every measure necessary to ensure that Doane, if convicted, is barred from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible.

Please send polite comments to:

Larry Richtsmeier, Sheriff
Franklin County Courthouse
641-456-2731
641-456-2216 (fax)
lrichtsmeier@co.franklin.ia.us

The Honorable Brent Symens
Franklin County Attorney
641-892-4658
641-456-2489 (fax)
http://co.franklin.ia.us/pages/contact_us (E-Mail Form: Please select "Attorney" in the dropdown menu.)

Board of Supervisors
Franklin County Courthouse
12 First Ave. N.W.
P.O. Box 26
Hampton, IA 50441
641-456-5624
641-456-6001 (fax)

Jerry Plagge, Chair
Board of Supervisors
District #2
302 S. Reynolds St.
Latimer, IA 50452
641-579-6060
jplagge@co.franklin.ia.us

Michael Nolte
Board of Supervisors
District #1
1694 Warbler Ave.
Hampton, IA 50441
641-456-5444
mnolte@co.franklin.ia.us

Corey Eberling
Board of Supervisors
District #3
1137 250th St.
Sheffield, IA 50475
641-892-4726
ceberling@co.franklin.ia.us

Monday July 7, 2008, 1:28 pm
OMG! This is so horrific. There is absolutely no excuse to treat animals like this. They have no pasture and it's obvious they are not being fed. And their hooves! This is so heartbbreaking. These people were brave to film this. The owner could come any minute and cause problems. Speaking of problems, he is one. I can't believe nothing is being done about it. They need to find these cows. E-mails sent. I just want to throw this scumbag in mud and stomp him. Thanks Echo.

Monday July 7, 2008, 3:40 pm
When you make a decision to own any animal...you automatically take on the responsibliity to care for it which means giving it all it needs, food, grooming,an environment that will help them flourish instead of becoming ill and suffering..This is appaling

Monday July 7, 2008, 7:05 pm
Horrific video! Emails sent....polite ones....as hard as that was to do.

Monday July 7, 2008, 8:38 pm
Noted and forwarded. E-mails sent

Tuesday July 8, 2008, 1:26 am
E-MAILS SENT-WILL FORWARD-THANKS ECHO

Tuesday July 8, 2008, 2:04 pm
This is really awfull.
These poor animals don't deserve to be handled like that.
I guess this has all to do with money, and no respect.
I therefore fully subscribe, this is appalling.
Thank you for posting Echo

Tuesday July 8, 2008, 2:23 pm
Done this makes me so angry this isn't the first time this has happen!! People who do not take care of there animals are morsels they deserve to be treated with kimdness and love no matter what!!! his makes me sick Thanks Echo

Tuesday July 8, 2008, 4:40 pm
I apologize for avoiding footage. I can't do it; I heard one pig farmer say he could only save 3 piglets out of 800. I would have done better than that if I had to stick some of them down my pants. Pure animal abuse. Thanks, Echo.

Friday July 11, 2008, 12:57 am
done....thank you for the heads up.

Sunday July 13, 2008, 6:29 am
Thank you Echo, message sent, I think we all would love to see the monster live this way! Those poor creatures..

Sunday July 13, 2008, 10:43 am
Good comment Carolyn. I used to say some people should be licensed before they have kids, maybe the same should be true for farm animals.