Suffolk Cracks Down On Illegal Baby Chick Sales: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Multiple Suffolk County businesses were charged with misdemeanors after they were accused of selling day-old baby chicks in amounts less than allowed by state law, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said on Wednesday.

"Each spring around Easter time, people purchase newly born baby animals, including chicks, ducklings, and rabbits, to use as live decorations or to give as gifts," Tierney said in a news release. "Sometimes, these animals are also dyed bright colors which can cause illness and death to the animal. I remind everyone that animals are not toys or merchandise, and my office will continue to protect animals by enforcing the laws regarding their care and sale."

There are New York restrictions on the sale of baby chicks, ducklings, other fowl, and bunnies stating that "no person shall sell, offer for sale, barter or give away living baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or baby rabbits under two months of age in any quantity less than six."

The law also bans the sales, bartering or display of live baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or baby rabbits that have been artificially colored or dyed.

Violations of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law ("AML") section 354, may carry a misdemeanor charge punishable with up to one year in jail and a $500 fine.

Suffolk police and the Suffolk district attorney's office investigated businesses that authorities said were illegally selling baby chicks and made multiple arrests including:

• Long Island Poultry, at 2089 Sound Ave., Calverton: On March 3, Suffolk police detectives entered Long Island Poultry and purchased four baby chicks which were only a few days old, officials said. On April 4, Long Island Poultry was charged with one count of AML 354(3). They are set to appear in Suffolk County First District Court on April 24 to be arraigned on the charge.
• Raleigh Poultry Farm, Inc., at 335 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park: Suffolk police detectives on March 23 entered Raleigh Poultry Farm, Inc. and purchased three baby chicks which were only a few days old, prosecutors said. On April 4, Raleigh Poultry Farm Inc. was charged with one count of AML 354(3). They are scheduled to appear in Suffolk County First District Court on April 24 for arraignment on the charge.
• Agway of Port Jefferson, at 295 Route 25A, Mount Sinai: Suffolk police detectives on April 3 entered Agway of Port Jefferson and purchased two baby chicks which were only a few days old, authorities said. At the same store, minutes later, another detective purchased four additional baby chicks which were only a few days old, investigators said. On April 4, Agway of Port Jefferson was charged with one count of AML 354(3). Their arraignment is scheduled for April 24.

"The only animal that belongs in an Easter basket is a stuffed animal or one made of chocolate," said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island. "Ducks, chicks, and bunnies require daily care, safe housing, specialized veterinary care, and a 10-year commitment. Yet, when they’re sold individually to impulsive customers, they first end up in Easter baskets, and next, abandoned in local parks where they're unable to survive. Without a flock, they often die from lack of warmth or become imprinted on humans, permanently compromising their welfare. Humane Long Island thanks the Suffolk County District Attorney and its Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team for their investigation, and urges families to remember that domestic animals are thinking, feeling individuals who need lifelong care."

Anyone with information about the illegal sale or dyeing of baby animals were asked to contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at BEAST@suffolkcountyny.gov.

"As a former federal prosecutor, I know that a law is only as good as the effort put into its enforcement," said Bonnie S. Klapper, legal counsel for Humane Long Island. "The businesses that sell these baby chicks know that they are violating the law and harming animals and they didn’t care, thinking that they would never be caught. Thanks to the excellent work of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and its investigators, they now know otherwise."