ASHFORD, NY -- Seventy two pigs have been rescued, and a farmer arrested and charged with animal cruelty, following an investigation by the SPCA and Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office.
56-year-old Gerald Nason Jr. of Ashford, is accused of failing to provide sufficient food and water, space in a shelter, and necessary medical treatment for the 72 pigs on his property and a neighboring property, both on Folts Road.
The SPCA and the Sheriff's Office began looking into the case after receiving numerous complaints from residents in the area.
Together, they obtained an emergency seizure of the pigs.
The pigs in the worst condition were taken to Cornell University to receive medical care, and the rest will be taken to local rescue farms.
Nason faces eight counts of cruelty to animals - four counts of the unclassified misdemeanor and four counts of the Class A misdemeanor. He is being held on $1,000 cash bail or $2,500 bond bail.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reminds the public to check the Animal Abuser Registry on their website.