CORINTH, Vt. (AP) – A goat farmer who is the subject of an animal cruelty investigation has gone on a hunger strike.

Chris Weathersbee, 62, vowed he would risk death from starvation in order to find homes where his 250 goats could live out their lives.

Weathersbee said he hopes to attract the attention of animal rights activists who would either help him finance an animal sanctuary on his property or find homes for his goats and ensure that the animals would never be euthanized.

Weathersbee said he did not start the hunger strike Thursday to protest against state officials.

The situation at the farm has deteriorated, he acknowledged, as supplies of hay, medication and money have run out. “Be assured that this is a deliberate effort to attract help for the goats,” said Weathersbee. “I need to get the word out to animal rights activists mainly.”

Of the hunger strike, he said, “I am willing to carry it through all the way.” The goats, he said, “are my reason for being.”

Vermont State Police and the Central Vermont Humane Society in February seized 44 of the animals deemed unhealthy, including some among 70 or so living in the house with Weathersbee.

Police said they were weighing animal cruelty charges because they did not believe one man could adequately care for that many goats.

Weathersbee acknowledged at that time that he needed help, but said his care did not constitute animal cruelty.

Weathersbee says he cannot kill animals because he believes animals should be valued as individuals and members of a society. Police have since passed the decision to Orange County Prosecutor Will Porter, who has not filed charges.

Weathersbee said he went on a hunger strike two years ago over what he saw as a targeting of his operation by the state.

That hunger strike, in the winter, lasted only two weeks, because he didn’t have the energy to feed the goats, he said. This time of year would be easier to lead them to a field to eat, he said Thursday.

And “if I die, what happens to them is what happens to them now,” he said.