Apex, N.C. — A man charged with neglecting his flock of sheep was found guilty Friday on one count of animal cruelty.
David Watts received three years probation, and he will have to pay $2,200 in restitution. He is also banned from owning animals.
An investigator involved in the case said the courts have yet to determine what will happen to the surviving sheep and Watts’ other animals.
Residents had complained for years about the smell emanating from Watts' property. In March, authorities found 77 sheep at his home, and 30 of the animals were so ill that they had to be euthanized.
Inspectors also said Watts' home was in such disrepair that they found holes in the ceiling, broken windows and no running water on the first floor.
Neighbors said cleaning up the property would help their effort to get the area placed on the National Register of Historic Places.



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July 23, 2007 7:21 p.m.
I'll have to try to take your word on it but I had steak tonight and it was taaaay-steeeeeeee!
July 23, 2007 6:59 p.m.
July 23, 2007 4:05 p.m.
Also Joshua, I totally agree with you. Any decent farmer takes care of his/her herd. If you can't feed them all and care for them properly, get rid of them. This man was wasting his money and endangering the rest of his herd. He SHOULD be banned from owning animals. I have zero tolerance for anyone who is responsible for another living being (human or otherwise) and neglects that responsibility.
July 23, 2007 11:50 a.m.
July 23, 2007 11:43 a.m.