Read history of the case here. 

We continue to collect evidence, interview witnesses and take statements in order to support our case for criminal charges. 

Many thanks to those of you who sent messages of support and encouragement to Jenny, Pasado's Safe Haven animal caretaker. Jenny worked to save one of the seven that died, but the mother cow was too far gone. However, her death was not in vain for many of you who wrote renounced meat and dairy products. For Jenny and for all the animals bred and raised for human consumption, there is no greater gift. THANK YOU!

We'll continue to post updates on this story as the investigation develops.
 

Raised for Food, She Starves And Watches As Her Calf Dies

Return on Investment, or ROI.

Cost/benefit analysis.

These are terms associated with business when they want to increase the “bottom line”.  They’re helpful tools when making decisions on how to spend money and keep a business healthy. 

Unfortunately for millions of animals raised for food, like the cow pictured left and the calf pictured below, they’re also used to make decisions on how to “manage” an animal's life cycle and optimize "animal product”.    

This reality came into stark contrast this past week for Pasado's animal caretaker, Jenny.  She was called to a local farm after we received a report of a possible case of animal cruelty.  Jenny responded immediately and what she found will undoubtedly haunt her for a very long time.

A tip came in claiming that a local cattle farmer had a downer cow (she was unable to walk) on his property and he was letting her die a slow agonizing death.  He was not providing her with food, water, shelter or medical care.  Worst of all, her dead calf was laying next to her for days as she wasted away.

All of the other livestock on his farm had already been removed by concerned neighbors and sent to another location. This community felt compelled to step in because these other animals were also slowly dying of malnutrition.

Apparently the farmer did not see fit to spend any money on his "investment" because the marketplace would not be able to compensate him for his trouble.   

Pasado's was called in to negotiate a solution and to document the abhorrent conditions on the farm and the condition of the animals. The sores and folds of skin on her body tell the horrible tale of starvation.

The vet told us that she would not walk again because she was never treated for the milk fever she contracted after calving in addition to her advanced state of malnutrition.  

The decision was made to let her go with dignity while there were people present that cared about her.  But there was another complication.  The vet that we had summoned did not have enough medication to euthanize such a large animal and would not be able to return that night with the necessary amount. 

The farmer insisted that he would "dispatch" the cow with a shot to the head and even received careful instruction from the vet on how exactly to carry out the grim task.  If done correctly, it can be a quick and humane way to die.  Jenny got his word that he would do the deed that night.  She left the scene heart-broken, but knowing at least that she did her best to ensure that mom would not spend another night alone, in pain, mourning her dead baby.

What Jenny found sickened her.  Mom was still alive.  The farmer could not even bother to spend a bullet on his charge.

 

Once again, Jenny summoned the vet.  Please come as quickly as possible.  She must not suffer anymore. 

The vet too was visibly upset that mom was once again ignored.  He carried out the task as quickly as possible.  As he did so, mom gazed in the direction of her baby, who lay just feet away, while Jenny held her large head.  Just before she slipped away, she shed a single tear.  Look closely and you'll see it in the picture above.

This is a true and accurate account of the last days and hours of this animal's life.  She is just one of the billions of sentient beings killed each year for the human consumption market.  And if you drink milk, THIS is what happens to thousands of cows, who you do not see, who we do not receive a call on. They must give birth, every nine months, with no rest to restore THEIR calcium. And when they can no longer give birth, they're called "spent" milkers" meaning just that - SPENT - they are no longer of use. Their short time on this planet is filled with pain and misery. Is your milk in your latte' or cereal WORTH THIS???

However, we have the power of choice.  Try soy milk today. Just once. For her. Or rice milk. There are MANY brands on the market. Some you will hate, others you'll use and not know the difference. But you will SAVE animals like this sweet girl, and her baby.

We can choose to live a compassionate life and free even one mom or calf from this hell. This brand of compassion is empowering and energizing.  Indeed, it gives us the strength to keep responding to these calls for help and the audacity to hope for change. 

Pasado's will be pursing criminal charges against this farmer.  We'll be calling on you in the coming weeks to lift your voice in support of justice.

If you'd like to express your feelings on any of the issues raised in this story or would like to send a message to Jenny please do so by clicking here. 

Note that email message content may be used for future publication but all personally identifiable information is always protected.