CLINTON — More than a month after hundreds of cows were released from their pens at a local farm, police are still seeking suspects.

Police Chief Rusty Bell said Thursday that his department is continuing its investigation and trying to develop leads, but has made little progress.

Dairy cows eat grain before the midday milking Aug. 4 at Misty Meadows Farm in Clinton. Police continue to investigate late November vandalism at the farm. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans

Bell said officers have spoken to two or three people who may have “known somebody who knew somebody” that could lead to the culprits.

Bell said he thinks the culprits will be identified, given the community’s small population of about 3,500. He said he expects someone will eventually come forward with information.

The incidents began late Nov. 29 or early Nov. 30, when farm workers at the Misty Meadow Farms found about 150 cows had been released from their pens. Hours after those animals were rounded up, roughly 500 other cattle were released. One cow fell into a drainage hole and died of a broken neck. The dead cow was valued at around $2,000.

Farm workers also found other vandalism and theft.

On the same night, the nearby Wright Place Farm in Clinton was also vandalized, although the damage was significantly less.

On the morning of Dec. 6, about two dozen cows were released from their pens at Meadowbrook Farm, owned by Mike Brown, on Stanley Road in China. Sgt. Frank Hatch, of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, said the investigation into that incident has been suspended for lack of leads.

Colin Ellis can be contacted at 861-9253 or at:

cellis@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @colinoellis

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