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Eight Cattle and One Horse Rescued From Horrific Living Conditions in Western New York Cruelty Case

Farm Sanctuary Brings Eight Dairy Cattle to Refuge and Transports One Horse to Foster Home after Seizure by Finger Lakes SPCA

Watkins Glen, NY - December 12, 2005 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal shelter and advocacy organization, has opened its doors to eight dairy cattle after the Finger Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) seized seven cows, one bull and a horse from a farm in Rathbone, New York in Steuben County. Working with Finger Lakes SPCA's Humane Officer, Scott Mazzo, Farm Sanctuary arrived at the Rathbone farm on Thursday, December 8, 2005 to begin the initial rescue of five cows. The other two cows, the bull and the horse were seized Friday, December 9, 2005. The cows arrived at Farm Sanctuary's Emergency Rescue and Rehabilitation Center Thursday afternoon, where they will remain housed until their physical conditions are fully assessed and stabilized by veterinarians and shelter caregivers. The horse will be transported by Farm Sanctuary to a foster home.

Farm Sanctuary first learned of this cruelty case after Scott Mazzo contacted the farm animal protection organization requesting assistance with this emergency seizure and rescue. According to Harold Brown, Farm Sanctuary's outreach coordinator who accompanied Mazzo to observe conditions at the farm, "The stalls housing the cattle appear to have never been cleaned or extricated of the animals' manure. That someone could have kept these innocent animals tethered their entire lives and in these kinds of living conditions is beyond human comprehension."

Photos of the rescue reveal manure piles up to six feet high in the barn. Animals were tethered to stanchions, restricting movement to only a few inches. Of the animals seized, one of the cows' hipbones is exposed through the skin and the wound is infected. The animals' hooves are severely overgrown, with the bull's hooves over one foot long. The property owner also housed two pigs in a makeshift barn, but those pigs were sold prior to seizure and will be sent to slaughter. One hen house existed on the property with no signs of life, only decomposing carcasses and bones. No water was found on the property. The Finger Lakes SPCA plans to press charges, but at this point, details of the charges are unknown.

"Farm animals are specifically excluded from most state anti-cruelty laws, and they are not covered under the federal Animal Welfare Act," added Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's shelter director. "It makes no sense to me that farm animals are excluded from such laws when they have the capacity to feel pain, just as a cat or dog. I commend the Finger Lakes SPCA for proceeding to the fullest extent of the law on this case. These animals did not deserve to suffer this way."

Once rehabilitated, Farm Sanctuary will be looking for placement and adoptive homes for the cattle through their Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN). As the country's largest farm animal rescue and adoption network, this resource has helped find permanent, compassionate homes for over 1,500 abused and neglected farm animals since 1986. Anyone interested in adopting 2 or more of these animals is required to complete an adoption application and must meet stringent adoptive requirements, including ample space to keep the animals for their entire lives and a commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle. If you are interested, please contact 607-583-2225 ext. 223 or email shelter@farmsanctuary.org for more information.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.