Dozens of Dead Cattle Found at Skagit County Farm

Bow, WA – Skagit County Authorities found 54-dead cattle on a farm with history of complaints in Bow, Washington this week.

**Warning, Photos and Videos in links may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.***

King 5 News first reported that a Skagit County Sheriff’s Department drone spotted the cows during an investigation.

A neighbor, Kevin Gaegon told King 5 Reporter Eric Wilkinson that the investigation was 13 years in the making.

In 2005 Gaegon reported dead cows being illegally discarded on his neighbors ranch.  During the initial investigation, officials found 172 dead cattle strewn across the farm.  The owner of the cattle, Roger Pederson,  was cited and sentenced to probation.

In 2009 Gaegon again complained about dead cattle. King 5 cameras spotted at least one carcass rotting in waters that lead to nearby Padilla Bay, posing a serious health risk.

According to the King 5 News Investigation, just last week Gaegon captured video of a front loader tractor dumping cattle remains. This week authorities discovered the 54-dead cattle on the property using a drone.

Veterinarians helped identify the sickest of the 200 remaining animals on the farm. An Estimated 20-40 of the cows were taken to different farms so they could be nursed back to health.

At least one cow was living in cruel conditions and had to be euthanized.  Skagit County Chief Deputy Chad Clark told King 5 News that the cow looked like it was being eaten alive by a coyote.

Read the rest of the King 5 Story and watch the King 5 News  interview of neighbor Kevin Gaegon by clicking here.