Fearing 'vigilante response' from animal rights groups, police won't release name of man charged in cattle truck rollover

WELLINGTON NORTH – Police have charged a Woolwich Township man in connection with the recent rollover of a cattle truck here, but they won’t release his name.

On June 27 at about 7:10pm, emergency crews responded to the scene on Wellington Road 16 just south of Highway 89, where a truck carrying 98 head of cattle left the road and rolled over.

Seventeen cows died in the crash or had to be euthanized on-site due to their injuries, while another 25 escaped, some of which remained at large at least six days after the crash.

The driver, a 38-year-old Woolwich Township man, was charged with careless driving. He is to appear in court in September.

In response to two Advertiser requests for the driver’s name, OPP Constable Josh Cunningham said police won’t be releasing it to prevent a possible “vigilante response,” should he be identified, from “passionate” animal rights groups.

Police have to consider whether or not the release of a name could possibly result in the individual being “hurt or victimized,” Cunningham said.