Vigil held in Westport for abused farm animals

A small group of animal advocates gathered outside of the Westport Board of Health meeting Monday night for a candle light vigil in honor of the thousand plus animals found living in squalor at a 70-acre farm back in July.

"I think it’s terrible. I think it’s just disgusting. It just sickens me,” said Sherri Walsh.

Walsh is the former owner of the two Rottweilers that broke open the abuse case. You’ll recall they attacked some goats on the property leading to the discovery of the gruesome farm conditions. Walsh says her dogs were taken away from her by her ex and left starving on the farm.

"I just think it’s horrible. I wish I would have known. I tried to find them for so long,” said Walsh.

Police are still working the case, sorting through mounds of evidence. These advocates just want to be sure that justice is served.

"My primary focus right now is to make sure that those responsible are faced with criminal charges,” said Cheryl Castonguay.

This is the second abuse case on the same Westport property. The town Board of Health has been heavily criticized for how this was able to happen again.

"We need to get serious about looking into why this happened again and what we are going to do from keeping it from happening ever again,” said Jodi Greenleaf.

Dozens of animals had to be put down in the wake of the discovery of the abuse. The remaining animals have since been moved to a separate location in town.

Police expect multiple people to be charged in this case. But, there is no word yet when those charges will come down.

(C) WLNE 2016