Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Monday, December 11, 2000
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/local/brfs1116.shtml
Chicken farmer to pay fine for animal cruelty
EVERETT -- A chicken farmer whose operation was criticized by
animal-rights groups has pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to
animals and must pay a $500 fine.
Keith Amberson, 52, of Lake Stevens, was sentenced Friday by Everett
District Court Judge Tom Kelly. He must also perform 200 hours of
community service and will not be able to keep farm animals for two
years.
Animal-rights activists have raided Amberson's 20-acre farm east of
Everett twice in the past two years to rescue chickens they said wer
dying from lack of food and water. After the most recent raid in
March, sheriff's deputies said they found about 1,000 dead chickens
in a rat-infested chicken house, along with inoperable feeding and
watering systems.
"This is a really crucial victory for the millions of hens in
Washington that are forced to live their lives caged up in little,
tiny, cramped cages where they are never allowed to smell fresh air
and stretch their wings," said Mark Steinway, a co-founder of
Pasado's Safe Haven animal rescue group.
© Copyright 2000 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
|