Over 200 Animals Rescued From a Hudson Valley Farm

It’s believed to be the biggest emergency animal rescue in Orange County history, over 200 farm animals were rescued from a farm in Montgomery.

The Hudson Valley SPCA led the operation where over 200 animals were seized after they were found in terrible conditions at a barn located off of Route 416 in Hamptonburgh. The animals were starving and dehydrated. Some were sick while others found lying dead outside.

The property was owned by a New York City landlord and rented to people who run a restaurant serving farm fresh meat. The Hudson Valley News Network reports, the animals were going to be slaughtered for food.  A thrown together slaughter house equipped with chainsaws was located next to the barns.

Four rescue groups -- Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, Skylands Animal Sanctuary in Wantage, N.J, Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Catskill,  and Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen -- combined to remove and relocate the animals. Animals in need of urgent care were taken to Cornell University’s animal hospital.

An investigation into the farm began after the Hudson Valley SPCA received a call of a dead sheep.