A Cortland County man is accused of neglecting his duties to take care of dozens of alpacas at a farm in Marathon after over 100 animals are found dead.

Cortland County officials say Dayton Wood was a paid worker at the Sam Groome Alpaca Farm and was supposed to care for the animals as the owner was away.

143 animals were found to have died at the farm over two to three months. 21 Alpacas have apparently survived.

Investigators say they had received an anonymous tip about dead Alpacas at the farm at the beginning of March.

Authorities contacted the owner of the farm, who lives in Florida and say he was unaware of the situation.

Wood has been arraigned on 143 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance.

Each charge carries a maximum of up to a year in prison and $1,000 fines.

Wood was ordered to appear in court later this month.

 

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