A jury has found 36-year-old Jesus Lugo, of Pixley, guilty of felony animal abuse with the special allegation that a deadly weapon was used.
The Tulare County District Attorney’s office says on January 8, 2017, Lugo was milking cows when one kicked him, causing the milking apparatus to fall off.
Lugo became angry and tied the cow’s leg to the frame rail of the milking barn with a piece of rope. He then got a water hose and scalded the cow, including her face, for over a minute. Officials say the temperature of the water was set at 160 degrees.
The entire incident was filmed by security cameras and given to law enforcement by dairy management.
“The health and safety of these animals is important to our local economy and our valley
culture as a whole. This kind of abuse is never tolerable,” said District Attorney Tim Ward.
Lugo could face four years in state prison. Sentencing is set for November 26, 2018.
Source: YourCentralValley
