Worker at Arizona Dairy Farm Accused of Killing Cows

Dairy cows
Dairy cows

A worker at a dairy farm in Gila Bend is in custody for allegedly killing four cows with a knife and severely injuring five other cows.

Maricopa County Sheriff's officials say 28-year-old Mario Alberto-Garcia Leon is being held on suspicion of several charges of felony criminal damage, destroying livestock, animal cruelty and aggravated assault.

They say an emergency call came in about 11 a.m. Sunday from workers inside the Citrus Valley Dairy.

When deputies arrived, they say Leon was covered in what appeared to be blood.

They say he barricaded himself inside a break room on the property and later retreated into the bathroom until surrendering to a SWAT team.

Sheriff's officials say Leon admitted to using methamphetamine and alcohol before the incident.

It's unclear if he has a lawyer.

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