In early 1996, one year after California's downed animal law went into effect, the first California stockyard was convicted for violating the law. It was ordered to pay fines totalling $3,000 and placed on probation for 6 months.

"Modesto Bee" (March 19, 1996)

Former Turlock Auction manager Russell Felch has entered a no-contest plea to a charge he improperly killed a sick calf at the stockyard in September, 1995. It could be the first time someone has been prosecuted under a recent state law that regulates the way a farm animal can be killed.

"From what I've been told and as far as I know, this is a first", said Rick Blackwell, a detective with Merced County's animal control division. The yard is south of Turlock, just inside the Merced County line. "We went ahead with the charges because the method of euthanasia was uncalled for and Felch made some statements during the investigation that convinced me to press charges."

The incident happened September 5 when Gene Baur (formerly Bauston) , an advocate of farm-animal rights who was inspecting the yard for signs of abuse, called Felch's attention to a sick calf. When Felch didn't take any action, Bauston took pictures of the calf.

"Then Felch came by and demanded my camera," Bauston said Monday. "I immediately asked what he would do for the calf. He walked into the pen, and I thought he was just going to inspect the animal. But instead, he pulled out a hammer and started pounding on its head. It was very upsetting.

"Under a state law that became effective in January 1995, Felch had two options: have a veterinarian examine the calf or, if the animal was clearly in pain, quickly dispatch it with a small caliber gunshot or a lethal injection, Bauston said.

The law, Penal Code 599f(b), requires immediate attention to livestock too sick to stand.