Unnamed Dighton Farm Charged With 13 Counts of Animal Cruelty

DIGHTON — An unidentified farm in Dighton is facing 13 felony charges of animal cruelty after dozens of goats, a mustang, and an emu were seized from the property in January, the MSPCA confirmed to WBSM News.

A post from the nonprofit animal rights organization earlier this month stated that more than 100 goats are up for adoption, as 12 pregnant goats gave birth to 29 kids since authorities seized the animals.

The name of the farm has not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

But Dighton police logs note that just after 8 a.m. on Jan. 13, the MSPCA and animal control seized animals from a farm on Williams Street.

By 11:10 a.m., the logs state, all of the animals were en route to Boston.

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Since then the mustang has been sent to a farm in Maine, according to the MSPCA — but the emu, named Jerry, and more than 100 goats are available for adoption.

"We're hoping that given the several hundred people who’ve reached out in the last several weeks that some percentage of them will transition into adoptive homes this week," said MSPCA spokesperson Rob Halpin.

According to the MSPCA post, the previous owner of the animals failed to pay a bond ordered by a judge for the animals' care.

State law dictates that nonpayment of the bond results in "immediate forfeiture" of the seized animals.

Some of the goats have tested positive for Caprine Arthitis Encephalitis and Johne's Disease, both relatively common illnesses, according to the MSPCA.

But because the whole herd lived together, out of an abundance of caution the animals will only be placed in homes where they can be housed separate from other ruminants, the post notes.

Meanwhile the emu is described as "an entertaining character" and must be placed with other companion animals.

Anyone willing to adopt from the MSPCA farm should visit mspca.org/nevinsadopt.