Animal-welfare activists may be actively surveying small beef farmers; N.Y. farmers on alert for trespassing and theft

Newfane, N.Y. (Wikipedia map)

Herd protection is on the minds of several small, New York-based beef farmers, but not because the animals are sick — because they might be stolen, reports Tom Venesky of Successful Farming. On a recent mid-April morning, "Paul Strobel, who operates a small market on his family beef farm in Newfane, N.Y., pop. 9,700, saw two people — a man and a woman — standing in his driveway with cellphones. They appeared to be taking video of his cattle, barns, gates and locks. Strobel ran to confront the intruders, but they jumped into a car and fled. . . . The Niagara County Sheriff's Office documented the incident, and Strobel learned that another farmer in the area reported two people with the same vehicle description."

The surveillance may stem from an April meeting of animal-welfare activists. "The day before the incident at Strobel's farm, the group Project Vegan 716 held a meeting at its Vegan Center in Tonawanda, which is 20 miles southwest of Newfane. California-based attorney Wayne Hsiung, who moderated a panel discussion at the meeting, said the event was held to promote 'open rescue,' which he said is 'the act of openly giving aid to animals who are suffering from neglect or abuse'," Venesky reports. "Newfane has been in the spotlight before for animal welfare activity. Last year, Tracy Murphy, owner of Asha’s Farm Sanctuary, was charged with larceny after two beef cattle from a nearby farm ended up on her property. Murphy refused to return the cattle and was charged."

Strobel and other area farmers are on high alert. He told Venensky, "We’re a small farm that raises beef, pork and vegetables for our retail market. It’s very unsettling to see people on your property taking video of your animals and buildings. . . . I’ve barely slept since this started. . . .  go out and patrol my farm at night because I don’t know what these people are going to do.” Niagara County Sheriff Mike Filicetti told Venesky, "Any illegal action taken by these individuals will be treated as criminal activity. The entering of private property, entering of buildings or stealing of livestock is a crime." Venesky reports, "Niagara County legislator Shawn Foti, whose district includes Newfane, called the surveillance and 'open rescue' discussion a 'real threat.' . . . Foti described the farms in his district as small, family-run operations that take pride in caring for livestock. Farmers don’t deserve the threats posed by the groups. . . .The entire concept of surveilling farms and conducting rescues presents a dangerous situation."

New York Sen. Rob Ortt (R) and Sen. George Borrello held a press conference at Strobel’s farm to condemn the 'open rescue' activity. . . . Ortt announced plans to introduce legislation to amend the law related to burglary in the second degree to include unlawfully entering or remaining on farmland with intent to commit a crime. . . . This would target those who enter farmland to steal livestock and create severe penalties for stealing livestock. . . . Ortt said, 'Let’s be clear. These are not advocates. These are extremists who believe they have a right to steal from our hard-working local farmers. . . .Our farmers have every right to protect their families, their businesses and their property.'" Strobel told Venesky, "These people are radicalized, and many came here from out of the area. It’s extremely dangerous. If this could happen in Newfane, it can happen to any farming community."