Man arrested for abusing cow at Los Banos dairy, authorities say

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man has been arrested for abusing a cow at a Los Banos dairy.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a dairy on Copa De Ora Avenue for an allegation of a dairy employee abusing an animal.

During their investigation, deputies used surveillance video to determine that 28-year-old Salvador Vargas whipped, shocked and placed a water hose down the cow's throat more than 50 times.

Vargas was also observed hitting the cow several times with a gate while it was in the cattle shoot.

Vargas was taken into custody for animal abuse, and the cow has been moved to a medical barn for observation.