Law enforcement charged 59-year-old Ricky Dake of Monterey with 14 counts of animal cruelty and one count of failure to properly dispose of a cattle carcass at locations on Lake Hill Road and Calfkiller Highway. Numerous deceased cows were found with starvation the cause of death. Dake will be arraigned in Putnam County court June 21, 2021.

The indictment and subsequent arrest came after an investigation into possible animal cruelty led by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on February 27, 2021.

Initially, deputies responded to the Lake Hill Road area in reference to cows being shot. As the investigation ensued, it was apparent that several bodies of cows were lying in the field. Investigators , assisted by the Agricultural Crime Unit, observed that it appeared most of the cattle had died as the result of starvation, which was confirmed by the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s Office. Over 150 dead cattle were found as a result of apparent starvation.