Goat farmer pleads guilty, must thin herd
Authorities found nearly 200 sick and malnourished goats, horses, chickens and peacocks on a farm in Millstone, N.J. (Photo courtesy of NBC10)
A Monmouth County man who owns a goat farm has been told to thin the herd after he admitted improperly caring for animals.
Authorities cited 45-year-old Christopher Vaccaro in February after they said they found nearly 200 sick and malnourished goats, horses, chickens and peacocks on the farm in Millstone, N.J.
Only goats and a few chickens remain after the other animals were adopted.
Vaccaro pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
Chief humane law enforcement officer Victor “Buddy” Amato of the Monmouth County SPCA tells the Asbury Park Press the remaining goats need to be neutered in order for Vaccaro to manage the herd.
“What happened was he was somebody who had a farm that got out of control as far as the amount of animals,” Amato told the paper. “It got to the point where he couldn’t possibly take care of them. It was one person trying to take care of 100 animals.”
Vaccaro was fined $2,000. He’ll have to pay $500 with the rest suspended.
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