Photo: Toa55/Shutterstock.com 'Normal Agricultural Operations' Exception Shouldn't Derail Animal Abuse Prosecution, Appeals Court Rules
The Pennsylvania Superior Court instructed a district attorney accept private criminal complaints, finding that the abuse allegations fell outside an exception that protects everyday agricultural operations, contrary to the DA's finding.
March 01, 2022 at 06:28 PM
4 minute read
A Pennsylvania dairy farm is now facing criminal animal abuse charges for its treatment of its cattle after the state Superior Court revived an animal rights organization's private criminal complaints against it.
The Superior Court's decision, reported in a Monday opinion, reversed in part a trial court ruling upholding the Franklin County District Attorney's Office's refusal to prosecute the case. The appeals court remanded the case back to trial court with an instruction that the district attorney accept the complaints, finding that the abuse alleged in the complaints fell outside the "normal agricultural operation" exception, contrary to the DA's initial finding.
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