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August 17, 2009

Ellenburg livestock shooting may be linked to Chateaugay crime

By DAN HEATH

ELLENBURG — It is unknown if the shooting death of a dairy cow in Ellenburg is linked to the deaths of four animals shot in Chateaugay early Friday.

Armand and Brenda LaBombard have a farm on Spear Hill Road in the Town of Ellenburg. Monday, Mrs. LaBombard said someone shot and killed one of their cows late Thursday or early Friday.

She said her husband found the dead cow when he went to bring the herd from their overnight pasture to the barn Friday morning.

"He noticed we had a cow down. She was cold," LaBombard said.

After their other cows were in the barn, the LaBombards went back and found that someone had apparently shot the cow. That was later confirmed by State Police, LaBombard said.

Rifle evidence
She said police later found two casings from a .30-.30 rifle in the road. A neighbor, Joe Kramer, later told them he heard two shots around 2:30 a.m.

"We think it was earlier because the cow was cold (when found in the morning)," LaBombard said. "I think she suffered."

The LaBombards have neighbors who let them pasture their cattle on their property. Mrs. LaBombard said they are going to be keeping the herd closer to home.

Judy Baker, a neighbor, called the Press-Republican about the shooting Monday morning. She hopes those responsible are caught quickly.

'Scary'
"This is scary. You don't know what these people are going to do," she said.

State Police are investigating that shooting and one that left a llama and at least three sheep dead at Kirbside Garden in the Town of Chateaugay. That farm is owned by the husband and wife team of Kirby Selkirk and Jo Ellen Saumier.

Selkirk discovered the dead animals Friday morning when he went to release them from the overnight pen used to protect them from coyotes. It is believed the animals were killed around 3:30 a.m., as neighbors heard gunfire about that time.

Neighbors warned
Monday, Saumier said they called neighbors immediately after to warn them to check and keep an eye on their animals.

She said the llama was probably killed instantly by a shot to the head, and two of the three sheep were also likely killed quickly.

Although she and her husband are upset the animals were killed, what's most upsetting is the suffering of the third ewe, who was euthanized later Friday morning.

"She was staggering on three legs because of a shattered shoulder," Saumier said. "She was obviously in pain and they left her like that."

Respect for animals
Saumier said most of the people in the Chateaugay area grew up around animals and have tremendous respect for them.

"The person or people responsible for this obviously do not," she said.

Selkirk said Sunday he plans to offer a reward. He said neighbors and others in the farming community have offered support and pledged donations.

State Police are continuing to investigate the incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call 483-5000.

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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