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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Meredith Turner, Farm Sanctuary, 646-369-6212, mturner@farmsanctuary.org

Farm Sanctuary Expresses Shock at Neglect of Nearly 1000 Pigs Found Dead on Pennsylvania Farm and Calls for Justice in the Case

Nation’s Leading Farm Animal Protection Organization, on behalf of its 230,000 Members and Supporters, Calling for Criminal Prosecution of any Individuals Responsible for Tragedy

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.

In response to this week's discovery of 950-1000 pigs and possibly six calves found dead on a Fulton County, Pennsylvania property, Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, is urging local authorities to press criminal charges against any individuals responsible for starving these animals. The organization is also calling on its members to take action as well to urge prosecution. In addition, Farm Sanctuary's President and Co-Founder Gene Baur issued the following statement:

"We are shocked and appalled by the apparent willful neglect and starvation of nearly 1000 pigs and other farm animals who were found dead on this Fulton County farm. According to public accounts by local authorities, there is evidence that these animals tried to escape, and some were found dead outside the confinement barn. There is absolutely no excuse for this unconscionable neglect, and the people responsible for this tragedy should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"Farm animals, like all animals, have feelings and deserve to be treated with respect. But their lives are so demeaned today that when we read news articles about their suffering and death, such as in transport accidents, of which there have been many this year, these animals are often referenced in terms of their monetary value. It's important to remember that pigs and other farm animals are as intelligent and sentient as cats or dogs. These pigs died a horrible death, struggling for freedom, and no one came to their rescue. Imagine if these were dogs found starved to death by the hundreds in a warehouse. The public would be outraged, and that should be the case here too.

"The more we learn about farm animals, the more we recognize the need to protect them from egregious and unnecessary abuse, and for justice to be served."

Thousands of farm animals die every year in cruelty and neglect cases. Millions more suffer daily at the hands of an industry that treats them like inanimate objects. To learn more about the problems inherent on factory farms, please visit factoryfarming.com.

If you would like to speak with Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.

Farm Sanctuary fights the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy.