07/02/2021
BREAKING: It turns out there was a second cow who evaded capture after escaping from a slaughterhouse in Pico Rivera, CA last week. She survived on her own, without care, and went undetected for eight days until she was found Wednesday morning at a park in La Puente, California—about 12 miles away from the slaughterhouse. This afternoon, we welcomed her home to our Acton Sanctuary.
“When our team picked her up, she was petrified, shaking so badly that all she wanted to do was lie down, but she was so afraid, she kept charging in fear,” said Ashley Pankratz, Farm Sanctuary’s National Placement Program Manager. “She is thin and dehydrated after 8 days on the run through the streets of LA fueled by nothing but fear, instinct, and the will to live. We are grateful to Manning Beef for releasing her to Sanctuary and the City of Pico Rivera, and Simone Reyes for facilitating her release, and all of those who ensured she was captured alive. Given the chance they all want to live.”
"The entire nation found themselves rooting for a herd of escaped cows to make it to freedom and not end up on someone’s dinner plate,” said , Vice President of Social Compassion in Legislation “Getting two of the cows out alive, thanks to the compassion of Pico Rivera officials, the generosity of Manning Beef, and the tireless life-saving work of Farm Sanctuary will go down as one of my proudest moments as an activist.”
Reyes, along with Diane Warren and Steve Carmona have been instrumental in the release of both escaped animals to Sanctuary.
“We are glad to see a positive outcome for the future of this last remaining cow,” said City of Pico Rivera - Government’s Manager Steve Carmona. “I’m personally glad the owner of Manning Beef realized the positive nature of this generous gesture of giving this animal to Farm Sanctuary.”
This new arrival joined June B. Free—the only other survivor of the herd to escape slaughter—to live a life of freedom and safety. A huge thank you to our incredible Shelter team, who have been working tirelessly to make sure these two cows are as stress-free and comfortable as possible, and to Lisa McGinnis for her generous support and June’s fitting name. We’re so grateful for you all!
