Barn owner booked in suspected starvation deaths of 63 cattle in Haenam

South Korean police said Thursday that they booked a man in connection with the suspected starvation deaths of 63 cattle at a barn in Haenam, South Jeolla Province.

According to Haenam Police, the suspect, who is in his 30s, inherited the barn from his parents and appears to have neglected its management, resulting in the deaths of 63 of the 67 cattle there.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he couldn't manage the barn "due to personal reasons."

Local authorities launched an investigation after a local resident reported around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday that several cows appeared to be dead. When police arrived, the barn was filled with manure, and dozens of cows were found dead.

All of the deceased cows showed clear signs of severe malnutrition, with their rib cages and hip bones protruding from their bodies.

The results of a necropsy conducted by the Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Testing Institute confirmed that the deaths were not caused by infectious diseases.

Police are investigating details such as the duration of neglect and whether there was any intent involved.

During the police investigation, the barn’s owner reportedly stated that he had been "unable to manage the farm due to personal matters."

The deceased cattle have been cremated, and the man's relatives are currently taking care of the four surviving cattle.

The deaths of the 63 cattle are estimated to have caused property damage ranging from 200 million won to 300 million won ($137,902-$206,853).