A Rochester man is facing animal cruelty charges following a barn inspection.

Rochester Police say Anne Estabrook, the town's Animal Control Officer, was conducting a state required animal and barn inspection Tuesday afternoon sick and dead animals living in deplorable conditions.

An investigation was opened and a warrant was executed at the property located 953 Walnut Plain Rd.

Investigators found 23 animals which included dogs, pigs, cows, goats, and rabbits living in deplorable conditions such as pens filled with mud, garbage and feces and all the animals appeared to be malnourished.

A veterinarian was called to the scene to treat the animals and a deceased baby cow found on the property which was removed to undergo a necropsy.

Most of the other animals were also removed from the property with exception of some pigs that were fed co-mingled garbage which did not appear to have been cooked first as required by law.

Officials say those animals will be quarantined on the property until a blood test is conducted by state officials.

The owner, identified as 41-year-old Daniel Pacheco, arrived on scene as the search was being undertaken and after speaking with investigators Pacheco was arrested on 21 counts of animal cruelty.

Pacheco was later released on personal recognizance and was scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court Wednesday morning.

Police say Pacheco will also be facing action by the Town for various health and building code violations discovered during the investigation.

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