Neighbors complain of piles of dead animals on Enumclaw farm
Feb 13, 2014, 11:17 AM | Updated: 11:40 am
An Enumclaw pig farmer is accused of illegally dumping piles of animal carcasses on his property.
The Washington Department of Agriculture said it’s investigating claims from neighbors that Horton Farm has at least a dozen unburied animals near ditches, which are contaminating the groundwater.
The farmer, Wayne Horton, tells KING 5 he hasn’t done anything wrong and the animals died in recent cold weather. He says the eagles and coyotes usually take care of the problem, but they’re not around this year. He also says he’s hired crews to clean up other junk on his property.
According to state law (WAC 246-203-121), Horton is allowed to dispose of the dead animals, but he must follow the guidelines:
A dead animal must be covered or otherwise removed from public view immediately upon discovery by the person responsible for disposing of the dead animal.
The person responsible for disposal of a dead animal must dispose of it in a manner so as not to become a public or common nuisance or cause pollution of surface or groundwater.
