A Valley judge has ruled in favor of the state in a custody battle over sheep. The court said the state department of agriculture was right to remove 84 sheep from a Phoenix woman's property.
That happened back in October when neighbors called to report dead sheep on the woman’s property. Three sheep died of starvation. In the recent ruling, Justice Gerald Williams said there was “overwhelming evidence of cruelty to animals.”
He took nearly a week to make his decision after requesting more time to review the evidence. According to state law, the seven dozen sheep and lambs will now be sold at public auction
The former owner has been ordered to pay the state for the cost of feeding them while in state custody.
