Court Hears Closing Arguments in Santo Anza, SA Farm Case

Santo Anza, a Northborough man who faces multiple charges of illegal dumping and animal cruelty, heads back to Worcester Superior Court on Thursday, Aug. 1, for closing arguments. 

Anza, 52, who operates SA Farm on Whitney Street in Northborough, was indicted in December, 2011, by the Attorney General's office on multiple environmental violations and animal cruelty charges. 

The charges include three counts of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act, ten counts of violating the Massachusetts Solid Waste Act and three counts of animal cruelty. 

“We allege that the defendant operated an illegal dump site that was used to dispose of rotten food, garbage, and dead animals, among other materials,” said AG Coakley in a press release issued by the AG's office.  “These actions put the public’s health at risk and caused unnecessary harm to the animals living on the property in intolerable conditions.”

Authorities say Anza operated the illegal dump to bring in solid waste to his Whitney Street property, and neighbors have complained to the town, and state, for years, alleging the same. 

The group of neighbors attended board meetings in town to complain, and erected a website to include updates on the case.