Posted by GoatWorld on January 12, 2003 at 16:59:22:
Sheep, Goats At Tiverton, R.I., Farm To Be Euthanized After Mistreatment
Published on 1/12/2003
Tiverton, R.I. — Veterinarians will euthanize all but one of 70 sheep and goats at a Tiverton farm where state agricultural inspectors contend the animals had been severely neglected. The lone survivor is a 4-day-old lamb, named “Victor,” who'll be tested for diseases for the next 30 days, The Providence Journal reported. The decision by the state Department of Environmental Management to exterminate the sheep and goats was made after the animals' owner could not prove they were free of disease and thus no threat to humans or other livestock. “Because of their uncertain origin, these animals present a very high risk that they may be harboring diseases that we would not allow into the state,” said Christopher Hannafin, the state public health veterinarian. He listed tuberculosis, brucellosis and scrapie, which afflicts the central nervous system in animals, as disease threats. The animals are owned by Margied Mohammed, of Boston's Roslindale neighborhood.