Nearly 700 ducks and chickens neglected
Mendon, MA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007
County: Worcester
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 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 UpdatesThe 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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