Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Disappointed in Florida State Attorney's Decision Not to File Charges Against Cypress Foods

FLORIDA -September 17, 2002 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, is extremely disappointed in Florida State Attorney Bernie McCabe for his decision not to file charges against Cypress Foods, Inc. for the deaths of nearly 200,000 chickens at their Pasco County egg farm earlier this year.

Hundreds of thousands of chickens starved to death or were euthanized when the company's owner, James R. Biggers, stopped feeding the birds this past March. Farm Sanctuary member and attorney, Paul Rebein, still believes there is evidence of wrongdoing in this case. Rebein prepared a 58 page document containing detailed evidence and legal analysis calling for an active prosecution of Cypress Foods. Rebein wrote, "Tens of thousands perhaps hundreds of thousands of hens died from starvation. If prosecuted, this will be a landmark case. If not, it will be an infamous injustice."

Documents uncovered during the investigation revealed that Cypress Foods knew as early as December, 2001 - months before Florida authorities stepped in and the birds were euthanized - that it did not have adequate funds to feed the hens. Despite this fact, Cypress Foods chose to starve their birds rather than to turn them over to others who could feed them.

Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), president of Farm Sanctuary, stated, "It is clear that Cypress Foods violated Florida's anti-cruelty law, intentionally causing thousands of animals to suffer and die of starvation. We are extremely disappointed that State Attorney McCabe is not filing charges. Hundreds of thousands of birds were starved, and those responsible for this cruelty deserve to be prosecuted. If horses or dogs were starved like this, I don't think McCabe would have hesitated to file charges."

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.