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New Evidence Suggests Sonoma Foie Gras Violated Anti-Cruelty Law

Veterinarians and Scientists Join with Animal Advocates in Voicing Concern

San Joaquin, CA - November 13, 2003 - Farm Sanctuary has provided the San Joaquin County District Attorney John Phillips with extensive documentation of inhumane conditions at Sonoma Foie Gras and is urging the D.A. to prosecute Sonoma Foie Gras for "repeated and well-documented violations" of California's anti-cruelty law.

Among the evidence provided are photographs and videotapes taken at Sonoma Foie Gras between August 2002 and June 2003; statements and a necropsy report from veterinarians, who examined ducks rescued from Sonoma Foie Gras, describing the birds' poor condition; declarations from eyewitnesses who observed conditions inside Sonoma Foie Gras; an 89-page report from the Scientific Veterinary Committee of the European Commission, which concludes that force-feeding is "detrimental to the welfare of the birds;" and a translation of a recent Israeli Supreme Court decision, which ruled that force-feeding causes extreme and unnecessary suffering and is therefore a violation of Israel's anti-cruelty law.

Describing the negative consequences of force-feeding and the resultant enlarged, diseased livers, Farm Sanctuary president Gene Baur (formerly Bauston) wrote,

"Ducks with severely enlarged livers suffer in numerous ways. Because their diseased livers are incapable of adequately cleansing the bloodstream of waste products, toxins build up in the body and general disease resistance falls. The grossly enlarged livers press against the ducks' lungs and other internal organs, making it difficult for the ducks to breathe and function normally. Their swollen livers also push the ducks' legs outward, making it difficult and painful for the birds to walk. Numerous eyewitness accounts of the condition of ducks at Sonoma Foie Gras, as well as reports by veterinarians who examined ducks removed from Sonoma Foie Gras, describe ducks panting excessively and unable to walk."

Copies of photos, statements and other evidence provided to the District Attorney can be obtained upon request from Farm Sanctuary.

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.