Crime & Safety
More Than 100 Animals Rescued At Narrow Way Farm In Wrightstown
The SPCA said when it arrived at the farm on Tuesday it found animals living in filthy conditions and dead animals.
![A goat rescued from the farm on Tuesday.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/26019821/20240808/121525/styles/patch_image/public/bcspca-goat-rescued-from-narrow-way-farm2___08000112838.jpg)
WRIGHTSTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — More than 100 farm animals were rescued by the Bucks County SPCA on Tuesday at Narrow Way Farm in Wrightstown with the sickest animals relocated to the SPCA's Quakertown shelter.
After receiving complaints including photos and videos of sick animals and reports of dying animals at the farm at 887 Worthington Mill Road, the BCSPCA launched an animal cruelty investigation at the farm.
When the agency’s Humane Law Enforcement team, with assistance from Newtown Township Police, served a warrant on Tuesday for the removal of the animals it was discovered that the farm owner, Abigail O’Keefe, is out of the country with no confirmation of when or if she plans to return.
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The SPCA, however, said it was able to negotiate with O’Keefe to surrender the farm animals and allow the SPCA to proceed with the treatment, care, and rehoming of the animals.
At the farm, which advertises “sip and snuggle” afternoons cuddling with baby goats, the SPCA said it found animals living in filthy conditions, dead animals, and heard reports from caretakers of young animals suddenly dying.
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On Tuesday afternoon, 25 of the sickest animals were transported to the SPCA’s Quakertown Shelter and barn to begin receiving care under the direction of the agency’s director of shelter medicine and in consultation with large animal veterinarians.
Early on Wednesday morning, the SPCA said it was notified by farm staff that another goat had died overnight. The SPCA secured the property with assistance from police until a veterinarian from the state could arrive to investigate for any potential contagious diseases.
According to the SPCA, the veterinarian determined that the suspected cause of death for multiple sheep and goats was heavy parasite load, which is largely a problem of the environment. The thin animals had been fed a poor diet, the veterinarian said.
By Wednesday morning, animals in the care of BCSPCA had been examined and began receiving medical treatment. Several animals who were raising their feet as if lame have been found to have a contagious but treatable condition known commonly as foot scald. Some of the goats also appeared to have respiratory symptoms.
Due to the large number of animals, the SPCA is asking individuals and groups who are able and willing to adopt some of the animals to contact the organization through its website. Adopters must be located within Pennsylvania and experienced in providing care for farm animals. Interested parties can use the BCPSCA’s webform https://buckscountyspca.org/rescue-assistance/.
The community can donate to BCSPCA’s Animal Relief Fund to help provide for these animals: buckscountyspca.org/donate
Anyone with information about this case, or any other case of cruelty and neglect in Bucks County, should report what they know at 844-SPCA-Tip (844-772-2847) or [email protected].
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