Teens Burglarize Wyckoff Animal Farm, Post Photo Riding Donkey

WYCKOFF, NJ — Consider this when horsing around goes wrong.

A group of teenagers took to social media to show themselves trespassing onto the property of Abma's Farm in Wyckoff around 10 p.m. Saturday, breaking into the petting zoo and, according to the farm, disturbing the animals.

This includes at least one person in the group riding a miniature donkey, which put the animal's health at risk, the farm said, as miniature donkeys "should not be supporting that much weight."

Oddly enough, proof of this act was provided courtesy of the trespassers themselves, who posted the photo to Snapchat.

The premise of Snapchat, of course, is that the message disappears after viewing. What the teenagers likely didn't account for is that a screenshot of the message — which even included an Abma's Farm location tag — would be circulated widely.

When ABC7 New York included a Facebook post with the photo of a young woman riding the animal in their reporting, it had been shared more than 5 thousand times. (The post has since been deleted, but is still visible in their story.)

In a Monday news release, police say they are aware of the photo, which depicts the young woman as well other parties. They also disclosed more information about the ongoing investigation.

"The investigation has been turned over to the Detective/Juvenile Bureau who are working in conjunction with Tyco Animal Control to identify all the parties responsible," said the department.

The farm said one resident — four families live on the farm — was able to stop and speak with two trespassers, but they fled when police were called. They were caught "trying to steal," the farm said, but didn't elaborate on what exactly they were trying to take.

In a Monday Facebook message to Patch, the farm said animals, which were briefly missing due to gates left unlocked, are all accounted for, and the farm's veterinarian is conducting an "extensive checkup and evaluation" on all the animals there, "especially the mini donkeys and ponies."

Though no injuries to the animals have yet been confirmed, the farm said the environment there is far from normal.

"The safety of OUR animals has been compromised and that IS. NOT. OKAY. Our animals are now shaken and skiddish compared to their normal relaxed nature," said the farm in a post.

The farm asks that anyone with information contact the Wyckoff Police Department, and offered a thank you to community members who shared messages of support.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank our community for showing us an outpouring of love and support after hearing about last night's events," the farm said.