Lawsuit accuses dogs of killing calves

A Marion County farmer has filed a lawsuit alleging dogs killed his cattle.

Tommy Buckman filed the lawsuit Sept. 10 in Marion Circuit Court. Buckman has accused Tim Auch of failing to keep control of a Great White Pyrenees, which according to the complaint, killed seven of Buckman's calves between December 2011 and January 2012.

Buckman also alleges in the complaint that the dog killed six calves in November of 2011, making Auch aware "of the propensity of his dog to attack and kill livestock." According to the complaint, Buckman suffered more than $5,000 in damage as a result of the killing of his livestock. He also accuses Auch of failing to exercise reasonable care, negligence and having "total disregard" for Buckman's livestock.

Buckman is seeking damages as a result of the death of his livestock, punitive damages against Auch, a trial by jury, other costs (including attorney fees) and all other proper relief.

A complaint only gives the plaintiff's side of the lawsuit. The defendant's answer to the complaint has not yet been filed.