Farm sanctuary owner charged with mistreating animals

A 41-year-old Town of Cedarburg woman who was running a farm animal sanctuary was charged in Ozaukee County Circuit Court with two misdemeanors after authorities alleged she mistreated the animals she was caring for.

Holly Herbst was charged with mistreating animals, whether intentionally or due to negligence, and failure to provide proper drink to confined animals.

  The farm at 4433 Lakefield Rd. is owned by Herbst and her spouse Alyssa Herbst, who are in the process of divorcing, but Holly Herbst was the only owner living at the property, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office received reports from volunteers at the farm in January that the farm had deteriorated to the point animals were not receiving veterinary care and often went without food and drink for long periods of time.

The farm was struggling financially and relying heavily on a limited number of unpaid volunteers to care for the animals, volunteers said.

According to the complaint, the executive director of the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC) reached out to discuss moving the animals off the farm. While Holly Herbst was resistant, Alyssa Herbst was receptive.

Sheriff’s Detective Matthew Haas interviewed three volunteers who said they consistently found “extremely” low amounts of food for the animals and empty water bowls, noting that Holly Herbst sent a text to one volunteer demanding that water not be put in the animals’ bowls because they would spill the water.

The volunteers also reported a large pig named Bluey was aggressive and repeatedly attacked and injured other animals, killing a goat, according to the complaint. The injured animals did not receive treatment for their injuries, they said.

Although a plan was made to move the pig, Holly Herbst threatened to call police if anyone stepped foot on the property and the animal was not moved, according to the complaint.

The volunteers also said many animals suffered from untreated medical conditions, some to the point they died or needed to be euthanized, and their hooves were not trimmed, causing them to have trouble walking.

During a Feb. 7 unannounced visit, a MADACC veterinarian assessed the animals and said some were thin but not emaciated but also noted there were too many animals at the farm and recommended moving some, the complaint states, adding a primary concern was a lack of fresh, clean water inside and outside the barn. The veterinarian and Haas talked to Alyssa Herbst about their concerns, and she said there was a plan to move Bluey.

When authorities returned for an announced visit on Feb. 16, they found some improvements, with fresh water and food available to the animals, but Bluey was still there. Holly Herbst told them the home she had lined up for the pig was not calling her back.

Haas warned Herbst that conditions needed to improve or she could face legal consequences and she replied, “That’s a battle I will fight all day,” according to the complaint.

Both Holly and Alyssa Herbst later met with the director of MADACC and said they planned to move all the sheep, cows and most of the chickens but keep the pigs for six months and re-evaluate the situation, the complaint states, but only a few of the animals were actually moved.

On April 20, authorities again visited the farm unannounced and found most food bins were empty, there were empty food and water bowls and little hay on the floor. The MADACC veterinarian recommended the animals be seized for their own welfare, and the Sheriff’s Office removed Bluey, two turkeys, 34 chickens, three goats, three ducks and two pot belly pigs. Haas was later told that several of the chickens died or had to be euthanized due to untreated illnesses or infections.