investigating farmed animal abuse and neglect stosuy1
TRANSCRIPT
FArmed Animal Investigations
Officer Todd Stosuy, Field Services ManagerSanta Cruz County Animal Shelter
Farmed Animal Investigations
Santa Cruz County California
Understanding species specific farmed animal needs (food, space, social lives)
Cattle, sheep/goats, chickens/turkeys and rabbits
Large scale investigations and seizures
Politics surrounding farmed animals
Farmed Animal investigations
Check State Laws - some states have agriculture exemptions
Contact USDA or State Veterinarian - Joint Inspections
Do your own research on farmed animal care
Have a trusted farmed animal expert on speed dial (vet, sanctuary, etc)
Abuse, Neglect or Cruelty
Cattle - Ideal Life
Average lifespan is 18 to 22 years
Water - 10 to 20 gallons a day (dependent on weather conditions)
Ruminants (stomachs have 4 chambers) - Hay or pasture grazing ideal (2% of body weight per day)
Remove objects/poison plants from pasture
Cattle - Ideal Life
Herd animals
Grazing (5-10 acres per cow), rotating pastures
Well ventilated barn to protect from weather and temperature
Routine health checks and hoof trimmings
Cattle - life on a feedlot
Overcrowded conditions
Poor diet (high energy grains)
Poor or no pasture
Lack of routine health care
Little or no protection from the elements
Live in own urine and feces
Cattle - Investigations
Common Medical Issues-
Bloat - distention of rumen, labored breathing
Hoof rot
Mastitis
Parasites
Medical Issues
Cattle
Cattle
Cattle
Cattle
Seizure
At the Shelter
Sheep / Goats - ideal life
Ruminants - 8 hours grazing per day
Average life span 12-14 years
Minerals (no copper for sheep)
Fresh Clean Water Always Available
Pasture - Clover and Mixed Grasses
Sturdy shelter
Sheep / Goats - life on a feedlot
Similar to cows- overcrowded, lack of routine health care and hoof trimmings, poor pasture, etc
Same basic medical issues as cows
Sheep / Goats - Feedlot
At the Shelter
Sheep / Goats - Feedlot
Downer - Feedlot
Feedlot
Owner charged with multiple counts of animal neglect, including having a downed animal at the facility
Convicted, but only had to pay a fine
Facility still in operation
Ingenious Goat
Chickens / turkeys - ideal life
Average lifespans range from 3-8 years
Commercial grains promote fast growth
Chickens- ideal to feed whole corn, oats and sunflower seeds, greens and chicken scratch
Turkeys - ideal to feed chicken scratch (cracked corn, oats and wheat) with added sunflower seeds, Timothy hay pellets and greens
Chickens / turkeys - ideal life
Shelter should be predator proof and include nesting boxes
Clean fresh water
Should have space to walk around, hunt for bugs, open wings, etc
Chickens / Turkeys life as a commodity
Debeaked
Overcrowded conditions
Lack of routine health maintenance
Poor nutrition
Bumblefoot
Chickens / Turkeys
Chickens / Turkeys
Chickens / Turkeys
Rabbits - Ideal Life
Average lifespan 5 to 7 years
Fresh water and salt licks
Unlimited fresh grass or Timothy hay, a variety of fresh vegetables and limited pellets
Love to dig, chew, jump and run
Straw shavings and nesting box
Rabbits
Common Medical Issues
Easily stressed which can cause sickness and/or death
Ear mites
Fly strike
Abscesses
Rabbits- Life as a commodity
Overcrowded
Fight injuries that are not cared for
Poor nutrition and health care
Wire floors
Rabbits
rabbits
Rabbits
Hatcheries
No oversight from Federal or State Governments
State Cruelty Laws
Agricultural Exemptions
Hatcheries
Cal-Cruz Hatchery, Santa Cruz, CA
Approximately 4-5 times a year chicks arrive dead at destinations
Undercover Investigation by AR group
Santa Cruz Shelter Investigation
Hatcheries
Hatcheries
Hatcheries
Hatcheries
Hatcheries
Hatcheries
Hatcheries
Report Filed with District Attorney’s Office
DA declined to file charges
AR group sued Hatchery under Business and Professions Code
Hatchery forced to go out of business
38 ducks rescued
Slaughterhouse
Humane Slaughter Act and State Ordinances
Captive Bolt gun, firearm or stunning device
Religious exemptions to laws
Improper/Illegal Slaughter
Custom Slaughterhouse in Watsonville
I was present to ensure humane slaughter
Warning- GRAPHIC
Custom sheep slaughter
Custom sheep slaughter
Custom sheep slaughter
Custom sheep slaughter
Custom sheep slaughter
custom sheep slaughter
custom sheep slaughter
custom sheep slaughter
Charged with State Code for illegal slaughter (did not render animal insensible to pain)
Went to trial
California State Veterinarian testified against the Animal Shelter
Slaughterhouse claimed religious exemption
Large Scale Seizures
Document with wipe off board and photographs
Document animals with collars or wound spray
Identify each animal by letter or number
Document their daily recovery while in your care (weight, photos, stools, etc)
Lessons Learned
Society DOES NOT view farmed animals in the same ways as dogs and cats
You need to understand your local political climate
You must be ready to be personally attacked
You will be forging new ground to provide legal protections for ALL animals
Lessons Learned
Farmed animals form close familial and friendship bonds with each other
Farmed animals want safety and freedom from suffering
Farmed animals have personalities, feel pain and can suffer mental abuse
Farmed animals deserve to have Animal Control Officers on their side
It will not be easy for you or your Agency
Animal Control Officers
Animal Control Officers MUST begin enforcing laws for farmed animals
Animal Control Officers ARE the front line protectors of animals in their jurisdictions
We can work cooperatively with:
USDA- Animal and Plant Health Inspection service (APHIS)
State Department of Agriculture
Questions
Officer Todd StosuyField Services ManagerSanta Cruz County Animal [email protected]