Charges Will Be Filed Against Owner Of Wrightstown Farm: Bucks SPCA

WRIGHTSTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Charges will be filed against the owner of Narrow Way Farm in Wrightstown Township where more than 100 animals were rescued in early August, said the Bucks County SPCA.

In an update posted by the organization, the SPCA said the investigation into the farm is ongoing and will result in charges being filed in what it calls "the largest case of farm animal cruelty and neglect in collective memory of the Bucks County SPCA."

The organization reported rescuing 58 goats, 49 chickens, 10 pigs, five sheep and two steers from the farm on Worthington Mill Road. In addition, the organization removed two dead animals from the property.

"As of today, nearly all the chickens from this case have been rehomed," reported the SPCA. "We are encouraged by the improvement we’ve seen in the goats, sheep, pigs, and steer, and we are eager to find new homes for them. Thank you to the more than 200 applicants who are interested in adopting. Our team will follow up as the animals are cleared for adoption."

The SPCA said on Sunday night, August 4 it received a complaint about the condition of animals at the farm. "Our officer arrived at the farm at 8 a.m. on Monday. A farm volunteer showed our officer some of the animals who appeared to be in good condition. The volunteer did not allow access to the rest of the property but said the person in charge of the farm was due back the next day."

On Tuesday morning, the SPCA said it spoke with the person in charge who shared "very
concerning information about the condition of animals we had not been allowed to view."

Based on that information, the SPCA said it quickly secured a search warrant which was served that afternoon with members of the Newtown Township Police Department.

"Our team removed the sickest animals and transported them to our Quakertown Shelter where they were provided with veterinary and supportive care," said the organization. "Sadly, on Wednesday morning a goat at the farm died. We sent the goat’s body to a state diagnostic lab to determine the cause of death."

Concerned about the possibility of infectious disease, the SPCA said it called in a state veterinarian who arrived that afternoon. "Their opinion was that heavy parasite load combined with poor general health was the probable cause of death, therefore the farm did not have to be quarantined."

On Wednesday afternoon the SPCA transported more at-risk animals to the Quakertown Shelter.

"Communication with the farm owner was difficult but finally resulted in the surrender of the animals to our care," the SPCA reported.

Early on Thursday, a team of animal control officers, volunteers from nearby farms, and BCSPCA staff worked together to transport the final 88 animals to the Quakertown Shelter. Two dogs and several cats were rehomed through the owner’s family members. All that remained on the
property were a small number of barn cats who are being brought to the shelter for rehoming, said the SPCA.

"Our investigation is ongoing, and charges will be filed against the owner," the organization said.