Cow case ends in acquittal

The owner of a wayward, amorous bull that mated with his neighbor's cows was acquitted of failing to confine the animal.

Robert D. Weber of Jackson was charged with misdemeanor animal abuse.

Scott Schnurbusch, an Oak Ridge cattle farmer, testified in Wednesday's bench trial before Judge Michael J. Bullerdieck that an Angus bull belonging to Weber entered his property and mated with his cows, said assistant prosecuting attorney Michael Linsenmeyer.

Schnurbusch is also deputy sheriff with the Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department.

Weber's Oak Ridge cattle farm is adjacent to Schnurbusch's but is separated by a fence. The fence did not stop the enamored bull from meeting up with Schnurbusch's Charolais cows Sept. 10.

However, that day all 12 of his cows were enhanced with hormones in preparation to receive harvested embryos, Schnurbusch said.

But the bull got to them first.

Citing case law, Bullerdieck did not believe the state proved Weber willfully did not control his animal, Linsenmeyer said.

A conviction for the misdemeanor could have sent Weber to jail for up to one year. But Linsenmeyer said the state would have recommended probation for the offense.

"I've never had a case defending a farmer facing criminal charges for an animal getting loose," he said.

Both men are glad the case is over and want to mend the fence between them, both literally and figuratively.

"I just want to get along with my neighbors," Schnurbusch said.

He said he spent hundreds of dollars for the hormone-inducing drugs and embryos and has lost income from the subsequent calves, which are sold to others in a farming co-op he belongs to.

Weber is also out money. The bull disappeared the day of the incident and has not been seen or heard of since, so he will have to buy a new bull to take care of his 38 cows that are impregnated the usual way. That could cost him upward of $1,000.

Calves are sold to other farmers and the income helps support the farm, he said.

"I don't want this problem to occur again," he said.

carel@semissourian.com

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