Vt. man jailed and “cow tenders” appointed after rash of vandalism on public art sculptures

Vt. man jailed in vandalization of cow sculptures

BURLINGTON, Vt. — A Vermont man is going to jail for his part in a vandalism spree that damaged six fiberglass cows installed around downtown Burlington as part of a public art project.

Twenty-one-year-old Christopher Newton and another man allegedly tried to push over two of the 4-foot-tall sculptures after a night of drinking May 18. Newton, whose foot was broken when one of the 150-pound cows fell on him, was charged with felony unlawful mischief.

On Wednesday, he started a two-day jail term under an agreement with prosecutors that also calls for him to pay $1,000 or more in restitution. Organizers of the “Cows Come Home” project are now asking bartenders and store owners to serve as “cow tenders” and keep an eye out for the sculptures.