SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - A Shawano County man has waived his preliminary hearing Monday in an animal neglect case.

50-year-old Joseph Brunner pled not guilty during his court appearance two weeks after police found several dead cows on his Belle Plaine farm.

Brunner told authorities that the animals had been sick with pneumonia and wasting disease.

If convicted, he faces up to three-and-a-half years in prison and $10,000 in fines.