CLAY COUNTY – A Columbus man was arrested Friday afternoon after allegedly breaking into a pasture and striking two cows with his car.
Trampus Freize, 38, is being charged with one misdemeanor count of trespassing and two felony counts of malicious or mischievous injury to livestock, a Clay County Sheriff’s Office press release said.
Clay County deputies responded to a vehicle fire in a pasture off Highway 46 in the Montpelier community.
When deputies arrived a car was on fire in the pasture near a dead cow and another cow that was injured, Sheriff Eddie Scott said.
Deputies found Freize nearby, and they believe he drove onto the property and intentionally struck the two cows, then left his car before it caught fire, Scott said.
“We encourage everybody now, just … keep the gates locked, especially on these main roads would be advisable,” Scott said.
Scott said Freize appeared to be under the influence when he was arrested, and there is no evidence he knows the owner of the cows.
Freize is being held in Clay County Jail with bond set at $20,000.
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