Traverse City Record-Eagle

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August 6, 2010

Teens accused of killing cow

Police believe pair shot cow with a bow and arrow

BY ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Two teens who police believe shot a large cow with a bow and arrow face a felony charge.

Kody M. Richardson, 17, and Jared R. Kaltenbach, 18, are accused of killing or torturing an animal. Neither had been arrested Thursday afternoon.

Police said they were responsible for the early July 13 shooting death of a large Angus cow on Bob Boeve's Hoch Road farm in Garfield Township.

Investigators said Richardson fixed a flashlight beam on the animal while Kaltenbach aimed and shot with a compound bow.

Police were tipped off after a friend of the pair told his mother, who called to report the incident. The friend wasn't with Richardson and Kaltenbach during the incident, but Kaltenbach showed the friend the cow shortly after the shooting, according to police reports.

Others also spoke with police after hearing chatter about the incident, including a woman who allegedly overheard the teens talking about "going on a big game hunt."

Richardson allegedly admitted to police that he held a light while Kaltenbach shot, reports indicate. He said they shot the cow in self-defense because it came at them as they walked through a field, though they had to climb through an electric fence to get on the property.

Boeve is glad the investigation resulted in charges.

"I've been very pleased with the job the sheriff's department has done," he said.

The 4-year-old cow had a young calf, Boeve said. The incident led him to keep a closer eye on his animals.

"We've been a lot more vigilant and checked on the animals more often," he said.

Boeve offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. He said he'll look to the sheriff's department for "guidance" in doling out the reward.

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