State police arrested Robert F. Sweet, 53, of 176 Mill Lane, Fort Plain, on seven counts of state Agriculture and Markets Law § 353 – overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a class A misdemeanor.
On July 16, 2019, troopers responded to 622 Wagner Hill Road in the town of Stark for a reported animal cruelty complaint. When troopers arrived, they located nearly 30 piglets without food and no potable drinking water.
Four piglets were also found deceased inside the pen, with flies covering the bodies.
The Humane Society in Herkimer County responded and placed the living piglets in a temporary home until the outcome of the investigation.
Sweet was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Stark Town Court at 7 p.m. Aug. 9, 2019.