Snohomish County, Washington - Based on videotape and photographic evidence and necropsies of starved hens supplied by Pasado's Safe Haven of Monroe, WA, Keith Amberson, owner of Amberson Egg farm in Lake Stevens, will be the first egg farmer in Washington State history charged with cruelty for starving his hens to death. The Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's Office stated on June 6, 2000, that Second Degree Cruelty Charges were filed (first degree requires proof of intentional harm) against Keith Amberson, who allowed thousands of hens to die--twice. 1000 hens were rescued by Pasado's Safe Haven, which conducted the investigation. Although 125 of the hens died after the rescue, 250 were placed with the Humane Farming Association, and 250 hens were placed with Farm Sanctuary, both in California. The remaining hens will live out their lives in peace at Pasado's Safe Haven.

The charges against Keith Amberson carry a maximum fine of one year in jail and up to a $5000 fine. Amberson's arraignment is set for June 21. United Poultry Concerns wishes to congratulate Pasado's Safe Haven for its magnificent investigation, which made front-page headlines in The Seattle Times, and to thank UPC members who urged the prosecuting attorney to prosecute Keith Amberson (PoultryPress, Summer 1999. p. 6). It worked!