This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A Minnesota man is facing more than a dozen animal cruelty charges after neglecting 92 goats in his care to death. Demand maximum penalties in this case!
 

On February 24, 2025, authorities received a complaint about animal neglect from a woman whose father had allowed someone, who was later identified as Jacob Langeslag, to keep goats on his property to eat shrubs and brush.

The property owner told a deputy that Langeslag was supposed to be staying there to care for the goats, but he didn't think he ever did, and he hadn't been able to reach him either. He added that he thought there were dead goats in a pen and more elsewhere on the property.

On February 25, 2025, deputies returned and found the property owner and Langeslag putting dead goats into the bucket of a tractor. The property owner stated he didn't want his grandkids to see the dead bodies.

Langeslag reportedly started by bringing 30 goats to the property but kept adding more, reaching a total of 140. When a search warrant was executed with the aid of a veterinarian, 49 goats were found alive, but multiple piles of dead bodies were found, leading to the conclusion that 91 had died. The survivors were moved to another farm, but one more tragically passed away and was taken to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab to be examined.

The vet on the scene noted the goats were living in filth, looked unhealthy, were severely underweight, and dehydrated. Instead of providing them with water, Langeslag had been taking them to a nearby swamp to drink every few days.

Langeslag, who is also facing a misdemeanor charge in another county for starving a horse, has been charged with 14 counts of felony animal torture, three misdemeanor counts of animal mistreatment/food deprivation, and three misdemeanor counts of improper disposal of the goats' bodies.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Man Who Caused the Death of 91 Goats Must be Imprisoned

I am writing to you in support of the maximum prosecution of Jacob James Langeslag, who callously caused the agonizing death of 92 goats who died of ongoing neglect.

Langeslag was charged with 14 counts of animal torture resulting in death or bodily harm (Minn. Stat. § 343.21), a felony which carries a sentence of up to two years imprisonment and up to a $5,000 fine, or both per charge, three misdemeanor counts of animal mistreatment/food deprivation (Minn. Stat. § 343.21), each carrying up to 90 days imprisonment and up to a $1,000 fine, or both, and three counts of improperly disposing of carcasses (Minn. Stat. § 35.82), also misdemeanors that carry up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, or both for each charge.

He’s also facing charges in another county for neglecting a horse who was found severely emaciated. I hope your office will hold Langeslag accountable for the suffering he caused, ensure he has a mental evaluation and treatment before release, and ensure that he is not allowed to work with or be near animals in the future.

I will be following this case to its fruition and fully expect to learn that he has been imprisoned for a very long time.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.