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The trial of John Carman, accused of leaving more than 200 goats to die last February in Dodson, is scheduled to begin this week.

Carman was granted a change of venue a few months ago; the trial was originally going to be held in Malta, but will now be heard in Glasgow.

The trial is slated to begin on Wednesday, January 26th.

Carman faces one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

The investigation started last February when Phillips County officials received calls from concerned neighbors.

The dead goats were found without food or water on a property leased by Carman.

He could face up to $2,500 in fines and two years with the MT Department of Corrections.

(March 8, 2010) John Carman, accused of allowing 200 goats in his care to die, entered a plea of not guilty in a Phillips County courtroom on Monday.

Carman is charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

He's due back in court on April 27th for an omnibus hearing, and a trial date will be set at that time.

The investigation started in early February when Phillips County officials received calls from concerned neighbors.

The dead goats were found without food or water on a property leased by Carman. He faces up to $2,500 in fines and two years in prison if convicted.

(February 18, 2010) KRTV has learned of charges of animal cruelty involving a Malta man, Jon Carman, after more than 200 goats were found dead on property that he is leasing.

Nearby resident Deb Nicholson tells us she was with the investigator from the Department of Livestock on the scene of the Dodson area ranch where the goats were found in a shed.

Nicholson told KRTV, "It was the most sickest sight you ever seen. Goats on top of each other. Newborn baby goats laying all over the place. There was four goats stuck in the fence. They just died there. It was horrible. It made me sick to my stomach and it made my husband sick to his stomach."

According to the Department of Livestock, other live animals on the property have been moved elsewhere.

Dodson is located on the Montana Hi-Line between Harlem and Malta.