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New Jersey Escapee Steer Headed for Greener Pastures

Watkins Glen, NY - May 15, 2004 -The steer who gained national attention when he escaped from a Newark, New Jersey slaughterhouse has arrived to Farm Sanctuary, a farm animal protection group. The steer will live out the remainder of his natural life at the organization's shelter for farm animals in upstate New York.

The steer escaped from the Baraka Halal Meat slaughterhouse and ran to Triangle Towing Service, a nearby business. The owner of the business, Judy Borsellino, refused to give the steer back to the slaughterhouse. Borsellino, who stated it was "divine justice" that the steer came to her business, does not eat beef and did not want to see the animal killed.

The slaughterhouse sent Borsellino a bill for the steer. Borsellino says the slaughterhouse owes her money for repairs her company made on their trucks, and she was willing to reduce the bill to keep the steer. On May 11th Farm Sanctuary's legal representative spoke with the co-owner of Baraka Halal Meat, who stated that he was no longer the owner of the steer, and Borsellino was the steer's new owner. On May 13, slaughterhouse representatives came to the Triangle Towing Service with police escort and demanded the steer be returned. A daylong battle ensued with Farm Sanctuary legal representatives, and after deliberations with USDA officials and local authorities, the steer won the right to his freedom. Borsellino was happy to receive the news and granted legal custody of the steer to Farm Sanctuary at 11:00 p.m. on May 13th. Shelter volunteers then drove the steer overnight, and he arrived safely at the shelter after a five-hour trip.

The steer, named "Liberty" by Judy Borsellino, will be joining other famous cattle escapees. Farm Sanctuary's New York shelter is caring for "Queenie", a cow who escaped from a Queens, NY slaughterhouse in 2000, and "Freedom" a cow who leaped over a six-foot gate at a slaughterhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2002.
According to Farm Sanctuary Director Lorri Bauston, "We are honored to provide loving care for this special bovine ambassador who helped teach people that cows have feelings too." Liberty will receive an honorary tribute for his courageous action at the organization's star-studded Gala for Farm Animals next week at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

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.