Case Study of Lancaster Stockyards (Lancaster, PA)

Problem Identified - 1986
In 1986, Farm Sanctuary began visiting Lancaster Stockyards to ascertain whether animals were being mistreated. Downed animals (animals too sick to stand) and dead animals were frequently found on the stockyard premises during these visits. On numerous occasions, downed animals were left to lay for hours or days without receiving food, water, or veterinary care, and many died of neglect.

In January, 1987, representatives of Farm Sanctuary met with the President of Lancaster Stockyards and other stockyard officials to discuss animal cruelty problems and possible solutions. The meeting ended with the stockyard agreeing to call Farm Sanctuary to come care for or euthanize downed animals at the facility.

Several weeks passed and Farm Sanctuary was not called by the stockyard. Farm Sanctuary resumed its visits to the stockyard, and again found downed and dying animals on various occasions. In several instances, the local humane society was contacted, but they said they could not correct the situation.

In January, 1988, a living sheep was found on the dead pile behind Lancaster Stockyards. Lancaster Stockyards refused to provide care or euthanize the sheep, or to release the sheep to Farm Sanctuary. Finally, when police and humane enforcement arrived at the stockyard, the animal was removed to a veterinary clinic where she was euthanized. No cruelty charges were filed, nor was the stockyard required to pay for the cost of euthanizing the animal.

Public Pressure Spurs Change - 1988
After witnessing the stockyards' outright disregard for animal suffering, Farm Sanctuary organized a Memorial Day (1988) demonstration to protest conditions. Shortly before the demonstration was to occur, Lancaster Stockyards began releasing sick and downed animals to Farm Sanctuary. In April (1988) alone, Lancaster Stockyards released more than 50 animals to Farm Sanctuary. Most of these animals were very sick, and they were euthanized by a veterinarian at the stockyard.

The Memorial Day (May 30th, 1988) demonstration drew approximately 500 people and gained widespread media coverage.

In June, 1988, at the insistence of Farm Sanctuary, Lancaster Stockyards purchased a captive bolt gun for the purpose of euthanizing downed animals on its premises. Later that year, Lancaster Stockyards stopped accepting downed animals. With a 'no downer' policy in place, the number of downed animals at Lancaster Stockyards was substantially reduced.

Bad Habits Return - 1990
In some cases, animals became down after being accepted at Lancaster Stockyards. Sometimes these animals were released to Farm Sanctuary, or euthanized by the stockyards. In other instances, however, the animals were left to lay for hours or days at the stockyards without receiving their basic needs. As time passed, the stockyards' adherence to its voluntary 'no downer' policy grew lax. The stockyard's disregard for its 'no downer' policy was evidenced on numerous occasions.

Another Approach - 1992
Farm Sanctuary incorporated as a humane enforcement agency in Pennsylvania and registered a state humane officer.

On July 22nd, 1992 Farm Sanctuary's humane officer observed a weak cow in a pen at Lancaster Stockyards. He approached stockyard workers to inform them about the cow and was told that the cow would be taken to slaughter shortly.

The following day (July 23rd) Farm Sanctuary's humane agent returned to the stockyard and found the cow laying on her side, down and dying in the pen. The attending stockyard employee said that the cow had been 'written off as dead'. Farm Sanctuary's humane agent then contacted stockyard managers and officials, but they refused to provide the cow with veterinary care or to euthanize her.

Farm Sanctuary then called a veterinarian to the stockyard. Upon seeing the cow's condition, the veterinarian euthanized the cow. Farm Sanctuary filed cruelty to animals charges against Lancaster Stockyards for denying necessary veterinary care to a sick animal. After several delays, including one mistrial, the case was finally heard. On April 27th, 1993, the District Justice issued her decision, and Lancaster Stockyards became the first stockyard in the U.S. to be convicted for mistreating a downed animal.

Ever since this court case, Lancaster Stockyards has actively worked to prevent Farm Sanctuary or other animal advocates from visiting the facility. Stockyards officials warn that they will charge Farm Sanctuary's humane agent with trespassing if he is found at the stockyard. Whether Lancaster Stockyards will prevail should it initiate trespassing charges remains to be seen....