I Will NOT Mind My Own Business

It's been a crazy sequence of events.  Where I live, there's a lot of livestock and horses.  I've been noticing a pasture in particular that is not maintained (unsafe conditions, lack of water source, no food source, possibly malnourished cows).  I've been reporting this pasture for months, it seems.  Each time, my complaint is bounced back and I'm told to try another organization.

​I get back from vacation and not only do I see the cows looking thinner than ever, I notice a heifer laying down.  I don't see the rest of the herd.  Day 2, heifer in same spot, same position.  Still don't see the remaining herd.  Day 3, heifer in same spot, same position, no other cows.  Something's not right.  I pull over.  Right then, the heifer's eyes roll back and her head collapses.  I jump the fence.  She perks up.  She is unbelievably sweet.  It's more than obvious she's injured her hind end.  Broken leg?  Broken hip?  Some open surface wounds.  I am aghast at how emaciated she appears and she's sitting in quite a lot of her own poop.  I run home, get a few things and return.  I'm jumping fences and clearly trespassing.  I hope someone sees me so I can find out how to help.  I mean, I'm noticeable with my rubber boots, buckets, tools and water jugs as I'm jumping the barbed wire fence and running around wide open land.  She drinks a gallon of water in less than 2 seconds and eats a pound of cow pellets.  I run home again for more water, more pellets.  Another gallon and she clearly wants more water.  15 gallons later, another pound of cow pellets and the remaining herd appear from seemingly no where.  The bull drinks 2 gallons immediately.  The signs of neglect are apparent & heart breaking.  I clean the poop off the injured cow.  She deserves some dignity.  This girl is amazingly sweet and seems more than happy to let me clean her face and hind end (best I could).  I name her Mary.  She's special.  She didn't deserve this.  None of them do.  Mary and the other cows will be a part of my life and routine for next few days. 

​During this time, I catch the attention of 4 neighbors and was able to collect some information.  Now, I'm more determined than ever.  I finally get the Sheriff Dpt & Agriculture Dpts to stop ping ponging me back and forth.  Day 6, a Deputy of Agriculture meets me at the location.  He confirms my suspicions.  In addition, this property owner had 3 prior investigations for inhumane treatment and in 2015, he was required to turn over his donkeys and pigs.  I hate this guy. 

​The Deputy stated the injured cow will be humanely euthanized, as the injury is beyond repair.  The next day, the pasture looks dramatically better.  Mary is gone.  The cows all have fresh hay, the unsafe area has been pinned off, the litter and trash has been cleared.  I notice huge barrels of hay lining the fence.  While I'm sorry Mary sat over 6 days in the FL heat before she was given dignity, I am thankful she's at peace and the remaining cattle are finally getting the care they deserve. 
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​IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME TO STAY OUT OF IT, MIND MY OWN BUSINESS AND/OR FEARED RETALITION from the property owner, SUCK IT!  Yes, my neighbor could retaliate and yes, this was time consuming.  But, to think I shouldn't or wouldn't do something and say something is absurd.  I'm always going to trust my gut and heart.  Nothing you say can turn off my moral compass.  NOTHING. 

​Besides, the Deputy removed his sunglasses and shook my hand several times.  I think it's pretty obvious I'm now a fellow Deputy of Agriculture.  I mean, right?  How ELSE would you interpret sunglass removal and a handshake?!  Pretty freakin obvious.  

OK, Gotta run.  Going to scoop me up some aviator style, mirror lensed sunglasses for my new job. ;)  

UPDATE:   I can't tell you how happy my heart is when I pass this pasture and see it being tended to finally and the cattle are being taken care of.  Thank you Deputy Chancey! <3