Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Offers Refuge to Severely Neglected Animals from Canaan Farm

Leading Farm Animal Rescue Group Aids Citizens Seeking End to Years of Animal Abuse

Watkins Glen, NY - February 22, 2008 - Last night, Farm Sanctuary, which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America, welcomed five severely neglected sheep and one pig to its farm animal refuge and rehabilitation facilities in Watkins Glen, N.Y. These six animals, along with four other sheep who had already arrived at Farm Sanctuary, including several who are pregnant, were rescued from Red Barn Farm in Canaan, N.Y. by Columbia County citizens who took matters into their own hands-seeking an end to years of animal abuse upon which local authorities had failed to act.

Farm Sanctuary is also working with the Department of Agriculture and Markets in Massachusetts, hoping to locate approximately 24 more sheep from Red Barn Farm who were allegedly transported illegally over state lines from New York on Wednesday night. If the animals are located and still alive, they too, will likely come to Farm Sanctuary.

"The animals at Red Barn Farm were failed by nearly everyone who had an obligation to provide for or protect them from harm, and would not have survived this ordeal if it hadn't been for the compassionate community members who gave freely of their time and energy to give the animals a second chance," said Jeff Lydon, Farm Sanctuary's executive director. "We are relieved that the animals' misery is now ending and are happy to be the ones to give them the help they should have received long ago."

According to Farm Sanctuary, Red Barn Farm-the subject of at least four years' worth of cruelty reports to Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA from citizens who witnessed ongoing neglect of farm animals on the property-came under renewed scrutiny when malnourished dogs from the property killed a neighbor's sheep nearly three weeks ago. Little Brook Farm founder and director, Lynn Cross, was contacted by citizens to help with the dogs and later discovered about 79 farm animals-including more than 40 pregnant sheep-living in squalor with little or no access to food and water. She alerted Columbia-Greene-an agency she has worked with closely on rescues for 35 years.

Originally contacted by Cross to help with placement of the pig, who was reportedly malnourished and posed a risk to other animals, Dan D'Eramo, Farm Sanctuary's chief rescue and investigations officer, visited the farm and allegedly found injured and starved animals in need of urgent care and recommended their immediate seizure by authorities. D'Eramo, following up on Cross's initial cruelty report, turned to Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA for help. The agency twice visited the property and both times refused to seek a seizure warrant-despite D'Eramo's findings being corroborated by Carlene Patterson, D.V.M. of Ghent, N.Y.-continuing a legacy of unheeded pleas for assistance.

Disappointed area residents have confirmed with Farm Sanctuary that they are continuing to seek justice for the surviving animals, even after they were removed from the property by their owner, who last week allegedly sold some and gave others away as payment for outstanding debts. Knowing that the animals needed specialized care, neighbors approached some of the new owners and successfully pled for the release of those who are now newly-arrived at Farm Sanctuary. Four sheep, relinquished to the rescue group by a Canaan resident who acquired them from Red Barn Farm on Sunday, Feb. 17 were assessed by veterinarians at Cornell University who confirmed that these animals were malnourished. The animals who arrived last night were assessed by Cornell vets, as well, and they are also malnourished. Farm Sanctuary is still waiting on word from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and Markets regarding the approximately 24 sheep-all of whom are likely pregnant-reportedly transported into the New England state on Wednesday. The whereabouts of all the other surviving Red Barn Farm animals are still unknown, but citizens are rallying to find them too.

"The people who are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing the laws created to protect animals must be dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals," said Lynn Cross, Little Brook Farm's founder and director. "Waiting for animals to die first before taking action permits rather than prevents suffering."

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.