A dramatic story is unfolding right now in Newfane, New York after two cows freed themselves from a “beef” farm and luckily wandered onto the property of Asha’s Farm Sanctuary. Tracy Murphy, the sanctuary operator, took them in, reported the lost cows to the SPCA, and began to care for them.

Over a week later, the alleged “owner” of the cows drove right up to the sanctuary with a transport truck, accompanied by a state trooper. He demanded the cows back despite providing no proof they were “his” and admitting that he hadn’t noticed they were gone for over a week. Tracy rightfully refused to give them up, spurring vitriol from the local farming community. Dozens began protesting against her, yelling obscenities, displaying offensive sign with slogans like “Release the Beef,” throwing dead animals on her property, and even sending her death threats. But Tracy stayed strong and refused to give in, even offering funding to the “owner,” knowing that these cows would be slaughtered if returned.

However, on August 2nd, Tracy was arrested on felony grand larceny and the cows were tragically brought back to the farm. This is yet another instance of government officials siding with animal abusers, treating living beings are nothing more than pieces of property, and criminalizing acts of compassion. While Tracy has been released from jail, the fight to protect these cows is not over. 

Please call the Niagara County District Attorney at (716) 439-7085 to politely demand that the cows be returned to Asha’s Sanctuary and that Tracy Murphy’s charges be dropped. 

Let this story be a reminder that animals do fight for their freedom and that they participate in their own liberation. If we look carefully, we see evidence of animals’ own agency all around us. Humans are not saviors in this movement, we are allies. These cows escaped by themselves the first time, but now they need our help to stay safe. 

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