Florida

Man accused of torturing water buffalo with tight rope

Tampa Bay Times
The water buffalo calf was bound by a rope which dug deep into its neck and rubbed against an eye. Authorities say the calf appears to be six or seven months old. It is being cared for by a veterinarian.
The water buffalo calf was bound by a rope which dug deep into its neck and rubbed against an eye. Authorities say the calf appears to be six or seven months old. It is being cared for by a veterinarian. Tampa Bay Times
PLANT CITY

A man was charged Friday with animal cruelty after Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies found a water buffalo calf tied to a fence post and in distress, the sheriff's office said.The calf's head was bound by rope, which rubbed against one of its eyes and dug deep into its neck.

Antonio Casamento, 45, of Tampa, apparently tied the calf to the fence at 2905 S Frontage Road in October 2014 and never adjusted the rope to accommodate the calf's growth, the sheriff's office said. The calf appeared Friday to be six or seven months old.

Sheriff's Office agricultural detectives did not find issues with any of the other livestock on the property. The injured calf was being cared for by a veterinarian, the sheriff's office said.

Casmento was released early Saturday from Hillsborough County jail on $500 bail.

This story was originally published January 18, 2015 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Man accused of torturing water buffalo with tight rope."

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