ACI Actions:
Cruelty Investigations
Humane Enforcement
Farm Animal Rescue
Humane Enforcement:
ACI is working to enforce the California Downed Animal Protection Law, which prohibits selling, abandoning, and dragging downed animals. ACI investigators go directly to the auctions to monitor conditions, and when a downed animal is found, we work with the auction facility and/or area law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the law. Livestock auctions and markets WILL comply with the law IF ACI is there to enforce it.
Martinella Stockyard
ACI investigators found a downed cow in the stockyard parking lot. The cow had been left without shade or water in 100 plus degree temperatures. The cow was extremely thin, and foaming at the mouth. She had several abrasions on her body and was unable to stand. We asked stockyard representatives to euthanize the cow as required by the law. After 15-20 minutes of arguing with us, the stockyard finally complied and the cow was euthanized by the stockyard with a captive-bolt gun. The stockyard then strongly requested we leave the stockyard premises and we complied.
Euclid Stockyard
ACI received an anonymous tip that there was a downed cow at the Euclid Stockyard. An investigator went to the stockyard and found a downed cow abandoned in the back of the stockyard. When our investigator approached the animal, she struggled to get on her feet, but she was unable to use her back legs. After documenting the condition of the cow, our investigator contacted stockyard authorities and requested that the cow be euthanized. The stockyard complied.
After several undercover cruelty investigations and humane enforcement actions, the owner of the Euclid Stockyard called for a meeting to discuss ways ACI could work with the stockyard to ensure it’s compliance with the Downed Animal Protection Law. The stockyard owner agreed to allow ACI to inspect the stockyard on its auction day.
Downed cow at Euclid Stockyard.
Ontario Livestock Market
ACI investigators found two sheep who were dying, a cow with a shoulder and hoof injury, a cow who could not stand, and severe overcrowding in pens that prohibited animals from reaching water. We called the humane enforcement agency for this county and two agents arrived on the scene. Responding to the agents inquiries about the condition of the animals, the auction owner responded, “She (the cow) came off of the truck acting like she was drunk.” While conducting their own investigation, humane officers found one sheep who had already died, and made the auction owner euthanize the other downed sheep. The downed cow was also dead. Our investigators offered to take the injured cow who was limping, but the officers decided to let the buyer take the cow and demonstrate that the buyer had given the animal necessary veterinary care.
Euthanized sheep at Ontario Livestock Market.
Next: Search & Seizure
