Sick, Dead Calves Found on Sarasota Man's Property

Deputies found dead and sick calves on the Sarasota property of a man who they say attacked them during an investigation Monday morning, authorities said.

Deputies say they encountered David Damschroder, 63, after they were called out on a report of a suspicious person in his neighborhood around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

During their investigation, Damschroder took deputies to his home in the 16000 block of Winburn Place, where "his demeanor changed and he attacked them," according to Sarasota County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Wendy Rose.

When he was taken into custody, Damschroder told deputies he had dairy calves in the back pasture. When they checked on the animals, they found two dead calves and two that "were weak and sickly," Rose said in a media release.

One calf "had visible ribs and backbone showing," according to the arrest affidavit. 

The two sick calves are being treated at West Coast Veterinary Center/Braden River Equine, where they were doing well Tuesday but are still in need of medical care, Rose said.

Damschroder is charged with four counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food and water, one count of battery on a law enforcement officer and one count of assault on a law enforcement officer.