Massachusetts: Residents rally to close animal farm

A group of residents are rallying to shut down the controversial tenant farm at 465 American Legion Highway.  This comes after news last week and subsequent public outcry that some animals removed in July have now returned to the farm – part of a case that some authorities call the largest farm abuse case in the Northeast. Selectmen and state legislators have been in contact with the Attorney General’s office and State Rep. Paul Schmid and Sen. Michael Rodrigues are pushing for a meeting. Selectmen have also expressed concern that an unknown number of animals have returned to the farm, but have stressed that state and local authorities are doing everything in their power to ensure that another animal abuse case will not occur there again. Selectmen Vice Chairman Craig Dutra in an interview this week mentioned that the returned animals are being fed and there are no signs of abuse. He said that the building inspector and newly appointed animal inspector have regularly visited and inspected the property, since last July when approximately 1,400 animals had to be removed by law enforcement due to the conditions there. Some animals were found dead among the living and a list of squalid conditions and other issues were reported.  Dutra confirmed this week that building inspector Ralph Souza is reporting regularly to selectmen and is looking to take action against the owner Richard Medeiros. Dutra noted that many of the sheds and structures at the site do not meet modern codes and are not suitable to house animals.However, that issue is not enough for town authorities to stop the repopulation, Dutra noted. Dutra indicated that with Medeiros’ counsel fighting on his behalf, the town taking action through a fine or ordering the structures to be removed/rebuilt is a complicated situation. Nonetheless, the town is still pushing the matter, Dutra said.