ISSUE: Keith Amberson of Amberson Farms in Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, Washington left 50,000+ caged hens used for egg production to starve to death and die of thirst in their cages. Cited by the Department of Ecology for gross environmental violations, Keith Amberson, the owner, decided it was cheaper to starve his hens than to pay the $21,000 fine and clean up the filth.

Despite the evidence submitted by the Snohomish County sheriff's deputies and animal control officers, and a video that showed live chickens forced to eat dead chickens to stay alive and rats swarming in the chicken houses, the County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said on March 25th it is declining to file charges.

• Prosecutors' offices base their priorities on public reaction. It is hearing from YOU that encourages them to proceed with prosecution. Please politely contact:
  

  Mr. James Krider Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 504 Everett, WA 98201 Ph: 425-388-3333; fax: 3572 E-mail: prosecuting.attorney@co.snohomish.wa.us

  Politely urge them to file second-degree animal cruelty charges against the farm's owner, Keith Amberson.

• Please thank the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office for their investigation and for recommending that second-degree animal cruelty charges be filed against the owner in their report to the Prosecutor's Office.
  

  Ms. Jan Jorgenson Snohomish County Sheriff's Office 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 606 Everett, WA 98201 Ph: 425-388-3393; fax: 3805 E-mail: sheriff.office@co.snohomish.wa.us

• For more information and updates contact Pasado's Safe Haven, a sanctuary for abused and neglected animals:
  

  Susan Michaels, Director Pasado's Safe Haven PO Box 171 Sultan, WA 98294 Ph/fax: 360-793-9393 E-mail: susmichael@aol.com

• Also see previous alert

Thank you. United Poultry Concerns. April 12 1999