LaBELLE, Fla. -- A Collier County man is facing dozens of charges of animal cruelty after an investigation into starving animals at a LaBelle farm.
51-year-old Robert Starkweather has been charged with 144 counts related to cruelty to animals.
The State Attorney’s Office says they have filed 131 counts of the charge Cruelty to Animals and 13 counts of Animals (Improper Disposing/Dead) for the handling of animals that allegedly died in his care.
Photo Gallery: Animal cruelty case at LaBelle farm
The cruelty charges involve alleged crimes that occurred in Hendry County with the animals being starved with no access to food.
There were 77 cows, 48 calves, and 2 donkeys found on property on Fort Denaud Road in LaBelle by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office after an anonymous tip was called in. There were 13 animals found dead upon arrival.
The animals were seized and were taken from the property and moved to another location. One calf died and five had to be euthanized due to their poor health conditions after being looked at by a veterinarian.
Starkweather was arrested on March 23rd. He will be arraigned on May 17th at 9 a.m.
