Dairy Worker Convicted of Animal Abuse

Yesterday afternoon in Department 19 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, Judge Antonio Reyes presiding, a jury found Jesus Lugo, age 36, of Pixley, guilty of felony animal abuse with the special allegation that a deadly weapon was used.

On January 8, 2017, at a south county dairy, Lugo was milking cows when one kicked at him, causing the milking apparatus to fall off. Angered, Lugo tied the cow’s leg to theframe rail of the milking barn with a piece of rope. Lugo then retrieved a sanitary hot water hose and scalded the cow, including her face, for over a minute. The temperature of the water was set at 160 degrees. The entire incident was filmed by hi-definition security cameras and given to law enforcement by dairy management.

“The health and safety of these animals is important to our local economy and our valley culture as a whole. This kind of abuse is never tolerable, and this office will prosecuteabusers to the fullest extent. Crimes against agriculture hurt us all,” said DistrictAttorney Tim Ward.

Lugo faces four years in state prison at sentencing on November 26, 2018.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ryan Tiede of the Special CrimesDivision and investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Robert Dempsie (559) 636-5494