APEX, N.C. – About 30 sheep being kept at a suburban home were euthanized Tuesday after some of the flock were found grazing on artificial floral arrangements in a cemetery, authorities said. Animal cruelty charges were pending against the owner.
David Watts kept about 80 of the animals inside and outside his crumbling house in this Raleigh suburb, police said.
“He lives upstairs, and the sheep were living down- stairs,” police Sgt. Robert Towell said. “He considered them pets.”
Lambs were apparently kept inside, while grown sheep were kept outside in debris- filled pens, Dr. Kelli Ferris, a veterinarian who examined the sheep.
About 30 sheep were euthanized because of poor health.
“All I want is to be able to sit on my front porch and not smell sheep poop,” said Angie Fowler, who lives across the street.
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