Rescue & Adoptions

In Loving Memory

Liberty

Destined for slaughter and clearly aware of the fate that awaited him, Liberty ran for his life. The young bull bravely fled the Baraka Halal Meat slaughterhouse in Newark, NJ and ran to Triangle Towing Service, a nearby business. The owner of the business, Judy Borsellino, refused to give the animal back to the slaughterhouse. Borsellino, who stated it was "divine justice" that the bull came to her business, does not eat beef and wanted to see Liberty live out his natural life at a sanctuary.

Through his courageous action, Liberty gave a face to cattle everywhere. His story immediately gained national attention. With news stories on major television networks, CNN, and The New York Times and dozens of other newspapers, he showed millions of people that all animals want to live - and will fight for that freedom.

Following a day-long battle with slaughterhouse representatives and deliberations with USDA officials and local authorities, the bull won the right to his freedom. Judy was happy to receive the news and granted legal custody of the bull to Farm Sanctuary at 11:00 p.m. on May 13th. Shelter volunteers then drove overnight to pick him up, and he arrived safely at the shelter early the next morning after a five-hour trip.

Liberty (left) gets a welcome kiss from Davey.

Liberty was welcomed at Farm Sanctuary's Emergency Rescue & Rehabilitation Center with warm "moo's" from cows recently rescued from a cruelty case and currently being cared for at the facility.

UPDATE...
Sadly, Liberty passed away shortly after his rescue, while being prepared for surgery at Cornell University's Veterinary Hospital. Liberty was taken to Cornell to be neutered in the hospital's state-of-the-art facility, where a full surgical team was charged with his care and monitoring equipment was available in case an emergency were to arise during the procedure. Despite the excellent care Liberty received from the doctors at the hospital, he died before the surgery even began. Just a few minutes after the anesthesiologist began sedating him, he passed away. The surgeons tried multiple times to revive him, but to no avail. Liberty never woke up again.

Devastated by this tragic and unexpected loss, we brought Liberty back to Farm Sanctuary, where he was buried on the farm, with a beautiful wrapping, soft pillows, a bowl of food, and a candle to light his journey. Our tears filled his grave, as we sang him a lullaby and kissed him one last time. We can only hope he is in a great green pasture, free forever from the misery that farmed animals suffer on this Earth. Keenly saddened by Liberty's death, we will feel the weight of his absence for the rest of our lives. Nonetheless, we are grateful for the brief time we had with Liberty, and rejoice in the fact that he died free and untouched by a slaughterhouse blade.