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Nightmare Finally Over For Goats Found Living Among Corpses In Central New York

Three Animals Seized From Property in Barker, N.Y., Now Have a Permanent Home at Farm Sanctuary.

Watkins Glen, NY - Sept. 25, 2007 - Three goats, found emaciated and neglected in March, will arrive at Farm Sanctuary's New York Shelter today. Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, will provide lifelong care to the animals who were rescued from a Broome County, N.Y., property near Binghamton.

The goats were seized by authorities early this spring after a neighbor investigated the source of animal groans coming from a nearby barn. A search of the property turned up the corpses of 43 animals, all in various states of decomposition. Necropsies of three of the dead showed they had expired due to starvation.

The three living goats pulled from the property were found in a transport trailer, emaciated and lice-ridden. They had no access to food or water and were standing in feet of feces. Three dead goats were later discovered in the same transport truck underneath the muck.

"The degree to which these animals were abused is difficult to fathom. The goats we welcome today were well on their way to joining the other animals on the property who had died slow, agonizing deaths," said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary shelter director. "That they were discovered at a so-called goat 'fantasy farm' makes this tragedy all the more incomprehensible. Here at our shelter, these animals will finally know the true meaning of sanctuary."

Farm Sanctuary's New York Shelter is home to more than 700 cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks and goats rescued from neglect and abuse. Nearly 40 goats live at the sanctuary with access to pasture, healthcare and safe and appropriate living quarters.

In July, Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur sent a letter to Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen urging that he bring charges of aggravated animal cruelty against Susan Darcy, also known as Susan Shriver, for allegedly starving the goats to death. Misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty are pending.

"Goats do not starve to death over the course of an afternoon; these animals experienced a torturous death," Baur said. "The charges levied against the person believed responsible should be appropriate to the crime."

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.