John Mumey, 57, of Bixby is charged with one count of animal cruelty and three counts of failing to obtain a breeder's license, according to court records filed in August.
The investigation into the condition of the elk herd began in April after law enforcement received complaints from concerned citizens about dead elk that could be seen from the road on property south of Muldrow
According to court records, wildlife officials found elk in poor condition and several dead elk carcasses in various stages of decomposition on the property, which prompted wildlife officials to test for disease in the herd. Wildlife investigators concluded in April that the elk did not have Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurological illness that affects deer and elk. CWD is a degenerative neurological illness affecting only farmed and wild elk and deer in North America. It can cause various problems such as staggering and emaciation.
Mumey allegedly had someone taking care of the herd, and there was feed located in a barn for the animals, but the district attorney's office said in August that taking care of the herd was ultimately Mumey's responsibility. Mumey was allegedly made aware of the situation in April, but the condition of the herd continued to decline.
Court records indicate that 1997 was the last year Mumey obtained a commercial breeder's license by the Oklahoma Department of Conservation for the elk herd. Mumey also failed to provide the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation with the required annual game breeder's activity report for the past six years, according to court records.
