A Jasonville woman accused of abandoning farm animals has been summoned to appear in Greene Superior Court. When she appears for an initial hearing, she will be charged with cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor.

Erin Clark was determined to be the owner of a black pot belly pig, one goat and three ducks who were left for an extended period of time without adequate food and water.

This case was investigated by Deputy Terry Wade from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. In late April, Wade was called in by Chief James Gadberry of the Jasonville Police Department after Gadberry received information that the utilities to a rural residence had been disconnected since October of 2017, the house was vacant and animals had been left behind.

Wade reported that when he arrived at the property, the house did appear vacant and he found the pig in a kennel with no water but with a few lettuce leaves. In a fenced-in area, he found a goat and three ducks with no access to food or water. He took photographs of the animals and the state of their habitat.

Wade contacted neighbors in the area. One said they had not seen anyone at the property for at least three months. Another said he had seen cars there late at night but not very often.

The officer determined Clark was the last occupant of the residence and both Wade and Gadberry made numerous attempts to get in contact with Clark, either by phone call or on Facebook. Although she made one call back, Wade was not available at the time and when he tried to get back in touch, she did not respond.

When Wade returned to the residence again, a neighbor told him she had been going there to feed and water the animals. When the deputy checked on them, the pig was deceased.

Finally Clark responded to Gadberry. Wade reported she sent him a message saying she was broke and had no way to get to the property and that she never intended for this to occur. In another message, she said she would contact someone who wanted the animals and have them remove them from the property.

No further information about the animals has been released.

A case was filed against Clark on May 7 and a summons mailed to her on May 15 ordering her to appear in court on June 11.