Bucks County animal welfare agents have seized more than 100 farm animals living in poor conditions from a Newtown Township dairy farm that advertised events where the public could interact with baby goats there.
The Bucks County SPCA opened an animal cruelty investigation into the Narrow Way Farm in the 800 block of Worthington Mill Road after receiving complaints, photos and videos of sick animals and reports of dying animals, according to the agency.
Two dozen of the sickest animals, mostly goats and sheep, were removed from the farm Tuesday and taken to a Quakertown shelter and barn to begin receiving medical care, SPCA spokeswoman Cindy Kelly said.
SPCA officers found animals including roosters, living in filthy conditions, dead animals and caretaker reports that young animals were suddenly dying, Kelly said.
Early Wednesday morning the farm staff notified the SPCA that another goat died overnight prompting the agency to secure the property until a veterinarian from the state could arrive to investigate the potential for contagious diseases.
The veterinarian determined that the suspected cause of death for multiple sheep and goats was heavy parasite load, which is mainly a problem with the environment so there is no need to quarantine the farm, Kelly said.
The vet determined that some animals were unusually thin because they had been fed a poor diet, Kelly said. Some goats also appear to have respiratory symptoms.
Several animals seized on Tuesday appeared to have problems with their feet and were diagnosed with a contagious, but treatable condition called foot scald which affects goats and sheep. The condition is most prevalent and highly contagious in wet, moist conditions.
The condition is preventable with good management, but if it becomes a problem on a farm it takes a lot of effort and labor to control symptoms and eliminate it, according to the Michigan State University Extension.
Farm owner Abigail Tuttle O’Keefe is currently out of the country and there is no information about when, or if, she planned to return, Kelly said. A Facebook group for the farm has been removed. An Instagram account for the farm with 388 followers and a Yelp page were still active as of Wednesday.
The SPCA negotiated with O’Keefe to have her surrender the farm animals and allow the agency’s veterinarians start treatment and rehome the animals. No criminal charges have been filed against O’Keefe as of Wednesday.
O’Keefe bought the 37-acre property in 2017 to operate as a dairy farm specializing in goats and roosters, according to a 2022 Patch.com article on Narrow Way Farm. County property records show she paid $550,000 for the land.
O’Keefe told Patch.com that she is a former university professor, longtime dairy farmer and mother of five with a degree in developmental psychology.
The business advertised interactive events including “sip and snuggle” afternoons, with baby goats, baby goat bottle feeding and butchering workshops. It also operated a farm store that sold products including fresh goat meat and milk, eggs, CBD products, plants and honey.
Due to the large number of animals, the SPCA is asking individuals and groups who are able and willing to adopt some animals to contact the organization through their website.
Adopters must be located within Pennsylvania and experienced providing care for farm animals. Interested parties can apply using the BCPSCA’s webform https://buckscountyspca.org/rescue-assistance/.
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 reportcruelty@buckscountyspca.org.…Read more by Jo Ciavaglia
