The flock of sheep at a backyard slaughter operation in New York, some of whom were pregnant, were close to death when found by investigators and required urgent medical treatment.
Rescued Elvira and her newborn Casper. Credit: Catskill Animal
Sanctuary
Forty starving sheep have been rescued after being discovered in
horrifying conditions as part of a backyard slaughter operation in
New York.
Authorities were initially alerted to the flock after limping and
gravely malnourished sheep were discovered wandering on a major
thoroughfare in Saugerties, NY.
A joint investigation from Ulster County SPCA and Catskill Animal
Sanctuary launched to save the sheep from further harm, by involving
law enforcement and a district attorney’s office.
As a result of their investigation, the sheep’s owner was issued
with an “order to comply” notice by a veterinarian, with three
conditions: put weight on the animals, deworm them, and treat
debilitating and life-threatening hoof rot.
But when investigators returned one month later, nearly half of the
original flock was missing, and the remainder were close to death.
With the veterinarian recommending the immediate seizure or
slaughter of the remainder of the flock, Assistant District Attorney
Felicia Raphael successfully negotiated the immediate surrender of
the animals.
Rescued Tillie and baby Wyatt. Credit: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
The forty malnourished sheep were transported to Catskill Animal
Sanctuary, where they received life-saving interventions, including
blood transfusions. Three sadly passed away within days, but the
remaining sheep are all recovering well.
Several pregnant sheep were among the rescues, and Catskill has
reported that ten tiny lambs have since been born in the safety of
the 150-acre sanctuary.
Located in New York’s Hudson Valley, the farmed animal sanctuary has
been running for twenty-two years and is home to between 200 and 400
residents at any given time.
Selene with her newborn Felicia at their new sanctuary home.
Credit: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Despite the severity of the flock’s suffering under their previous
owner, it is very unlikely that the offender will receive a felony
conviction. "Unfortunately, someone who severely mistreats farmed
animals cannot, in most cases, face a felony charge in New York,”
explains ADA Raphael, who worked on the rescue.
“Until legislators strengthen animal abuse laws, prosecutions are
limited,” adds Raphael. “In this case, the primary goal was to
rescue the 40 remaining victims. We achieved that goal, and the SPCA
will regularly inspect the defendant's farm to make sure any animals
he may acquire in the future are being properly cared for."