Owner is Charged With Manslaughter After Bull Causes Crash

A Vermont animal-owner is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge because his bull got loose, wandered onto a road and caused a fatal accident.

Some farmers fear the prosecution of Craig Mosher, of Killington, could set a dangerous legal precedent.

Investigators say Mosher was told one evening last summer that his bull had escaped but didn't do enough to look for it.

The July 2015 crash killed 62-year-old Jon Michael Bellis, of Woodbridge, Connecticut.

Mosher was indicted by a grand jury in April and has pleaded not guilty. He's due in court Monday in Rutland. His attorney has called the crash "a horrible accident."

Vermont Farm Bureau President Joseph Tisbert says the farming community worries landowners might become unwilling to lease pastures to farmers if loose animals could lead to criminal charges.

Copyright The Associated Press
Contact Us