FRANKLIN COUNTY (KFSM) — A man accused of shooting and killing a cow, which was nearly three weeks from giving birth, has been placed in custody.
Cody Bechtol, 22, admitted to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators that he had shot the cow with a .22 caliber firearm, according to an arrest report.
He faces was charged with first-degree criminal mischief by prosecutor David Gibbons.
The cow owner had told deputies that she found her cow had been shot near in her pasture off Fork Road in the Ozark District of Franklin County. The sheriff’s office was tipped that Bechtol and a minor shot the heifer.
The owner stated that the total value lost was $3,500.
Sheriff Anthony Boen and Investigator Travis Ball arrived at a house, at which they had information the two suspect might be. After originally being told Bechtol and his friend were not there, Bechtol and his friend came forward. The woman who answered the door was issued a citation for obstructing governmental operations.
After being questioned at the sheriff’s office, Bechtol admitted to shooting the cow. He told deputies that when he shot the animal, it ran off, and that he did not know he killed it.
He said after shooting the cow, they shot some birds, and then went inside and went to bed.
Bechtol remains behind bars at the Franklin County Detention Center.
