The owner of a nonprofit animal rescue group in Hunterdon County, N.J., was arrested Thursday after 71 neglected animals were taken from the property last week and several dead ones were discovered as well, authorities said.
On May 20, detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, Raritan Township Police Dept. and the Department of Agriculture were called to a property on Route 579, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office. A search of the home and other structures on the property uncovered dozens of animals including horses, cows, goats, pigs, roosters, and sheep that were believed to be neglected and in poor living conditions.
As a result, Michael B. Featherston, 52, of Flemington, was arrested Thursday and charged with cruelty to animals, as well as multiple weapons-related offenses and possession of marijuana, the office said.
Featherston is the owner and operator of Rooster’s Rescue Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 organization located at the farm.
All the animals on the property were seized, given proper medical attention, and surrendered to various rescue groups, the prosecutor’s office said. Several dead animals were also found on the 63-acre farm.
An assault rifle, large capacity magazines, and marijuana were also recovered by authorities, officials said. The assault rifle is considered a “ghost gun” because it has no serial number.
The incident remained under investigation and anyone with information was asked to contact Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. Jessica Neiber at 908-788-1129.
Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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