Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Jennifer Karlin | | Defense(s): | Wei Jia | | Judge(s): | Robert Calagione |
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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #12906 Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Nearly 700 ducks and chickens neglected
Mendon, MA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007
County: Worcester
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Tang Quan Lin
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Hundreds of chickens and ducks were removed from a Mendon farm after an inspection found they were being raised in an unhealthy environment, police and animal welfare officials said.
Approximately 700 chickens and ducks were removed from the farm Tuesday evening into early yesterday, said Brian Adams, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Another 100 chickens and ducks were found dead on the property, he said.
"Basically, the chickens and ducks were either covered in, or standing in, mud and feces," he said. In some cases, the living ones were standing on the carcasses of animals that had died.
The town's animal inspector noticed the conditions at the farm Monday and gave the farmer 24 hours to rectify the situation. When the inspector and a police officer returned to the farm Tuesday, they observed the problems had not been addressed, police said in a statement. The MSPCA was then notified.
With the permission of the farmer, the MSPCA began removing the animals. The MSPCA is investigating and will decide later whether to pursue animal cruelty charges, Adams said.
He said officials believe the farmer was raising the animals for sale to Boston-area markets and restaurants.
Police Chief Ernest Horn balked at calling the site on Providence Street a "farm."
"I really don't call this a farm. This was just a couple of barns where somebody tried to make a lot of money doing everything the wrong way," he said. "Nothing about it reminded me of a farm."
The rescued animals were taken to an MSPCA facility in Methuen, Adams said, with the last load arriving at around 2 a.m. yesterday.
Officials don't think the deaths of the birds were caused by disease, but the state Bureau of Animal Health has been asked to test them, Adams said.
Michael Ferrucci of Milford, who is listed in town records as the owner of the property, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Case UpdatesA Milford man accused of animal cruelty after authorities found hundreds of malnourished chickens and ducks on a Mendon farm last year pleaded guilty in Milford District Court yesterday.
Tang Quan Lin, who is also known as Jason Lin, will serve 18 months' probation and may not keep or raise any commercial animals.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged Lin, of 31 Howard St., with 10 counts of animal cruelty when authorities discovered the "atrocious" conditions on the land he was leasing.
Authorities found about 100 dead birds on the 30 Providence St. property Nov. 6. Some birds were covered in mud and feces, others had been standing on corpses of other fowl.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Karlin outlined the charges to Judge Robert Calagione yesterday, explaining eight counts stemmed from improperly feeding and raising chickens and the other two counts of animal cruelty for mistreating the ducks.
Mendon Police found atrocious conditions at the farm and observed a "foul odor and stench," Karlin said.
The MSPCA offer its opinion to the district attorney's office on Lin's sentencing, Karlin said.
Lin, 34, agreed on the plea through a Mandarin interpreter.
His lawyer, Wei Jia, spoke briefly about his client's management of the farm, before concluding, "In any event, he will not raise any animals for commercial purposes from now on."
The MSPCA took about 500 chickens and 200 ducks to Nevins Farm, the organization's Methuen facility.
While most of the rescued poultry has been adopted, about 75 birds remain at Nevins Farm.
MSPCA Director of Law Enforcement Peter Gollub said the agency knew the maximum penalty wouldn't be imposed on Lin.
A conviction of each animal cruelty count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and up to a $2,500 fine.
"We appreciate his acknowledgement of wrongdoings that today's plea represents," Gollub said. "We hope he takes this opportunity to reflect upon the course of action that brought him here."
Outside the courtroom, Lin and his attorney declined to comment. | Source: milforddailynews.com - Apr 25, 2008
Update posted on Jan 9, 2011 - 12:21PM |
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is urgently searching for homes for over 600 chickens and ducks. The birds were voluntarily surrendered to the MSPCA in November by a man operating a Mendon Farm, following allegations of animal cruelty. As the result of an extensive investigation by the MSPCA's Law Enforcement Department, 10 counts of animal cruelty that encompass the treatment of all of the fowl will be brought against the man at an arraignment originally expected to be held on January 4, now changed to January 7, in Milford District Court.
The MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen is currently housing the animals that were part of one of the largest surrenders to date for the organization. Excluding the provision of care by staff the cost of feeding the animals and providing soft wood chip accommodations reaches $500 weekly.
Following the surrender of the chickens and ducks, the removal of the birds began in the afternoon on November 6 and lasted until 2:00 a.m. the following morning. Upon arrival at the Mendon farm, deplorable conditions were witnessed. The birds, many covered with or standing in mud and feces, were kept in barns and outdoor pens. In many instances the chickens and ducks stood on the corpses of nearly 100 other fowl. Samples of the dead animals were submitted to the Bureau of Animal Health for testing and negative results came back for avian influenza.
The MSPCA is requesting that prospective adopters contact Nevins Farm's Equine Center and Farm Animal Care and Adoption Center at (978) 687-7453, press 8, then ext. 6113. Donations are also being accepted to cover the cost of the care of the animals while they await forever homes. | Source: MSPCA - Jan 4, 2008
Update posted on Jan 4, 2008 - 4:54PM |
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