Newfane, N.Y. (Oct. 4, 2024) — In a significant victory for animal rights and compassion, all charges have been dismissed against Tracy Murphy, the Founder and President of Asha's Farm Sanctuary, who had faced legal action for rescuing two cows who wandered onto her sanctuary in 2022.

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Judge Gary Strenkoski dismissed the case after learning the state trooper who pressed charges against Tracy Murphy sold the cows to slaughter before they could be examined as evidence by the defense. Turns out the supervising investigator was also related to the state trooper who claimed to “own” the cows, further complicating matters. This crucial information was revealed just days before the hearing.

“Justice prevailed today, and it’s our hope that my right to rescue these two cows opens the doors to new laws seeing animals as persons and not mere property,” said Tracy Murphy who also expressed her gratitude for the outcome.

Murphy, a dedicated advocate for farmed animals, found herself at the center of a legal battle after she provided refuge for the cows, whom she named Ismael and Little Willow. After informing local authorities and the SPCA, she cared for the cows, following her sanctuary's mission of rescuing animals from exploitation and suffering. Despite her efforts, Murphy was arrested, shackled, and initially charged with grand larceny, a felony that carried the possibility of seven years in prison. The charges were later downgraded to misdemeanor petit larceny​.

For over two years, Tracy Murphy endured public humiliation, harassment, threats, and protests outside her sanctuary, all while fighting false accusations that she had unlawfully kept the cows. Ismael and Little Willow were seized by police, returned to their purported owner, and tragically slaughtered​.

However, in a pre-trial hearing on October 2, 2024, the court issued a ruling that barred any witness from testifying about the cows, the subject of the alleged larceny. This decision rendered the prosecution's case untenable, leading the Niagara County District Attorney's Office to dismiss all charges​.

“This is a decisive vindication of farmed animal rescue,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director for In Defense of Animals. “Asha’s Farm Sanctuary shows us the possibility of a world where compassion replaces cruelty. Although we’re relieved that charges against Ms. Murphy were rightly dismissed, we mourn the untimely deaths of young Ismael and Little Willow, who were spitefully slaughtered instead of living happily ever after at the sanctuary. You can honor their remarkable fight for life by trying vegan at idausa.org/vegguide.”​

The dismissal of charges marks the end of a harrowing chapter for Tracy Murphy, whose only crime was showing compassion to two animals in need. In Defense of Animals commends this outcome and reaffirms its support for Murphy and all sanctuary owners who work tirelessly to provide safe havens for animals.

In Defense of Animals supporters sent over 14,500 emails to Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman urging him to dismiss the charges against Tracy Murphy for her compassionate actions.

In Defense of Animals calls on supporters to celebrate this victory by sharing Tracy's story and continuing to advocate for the rights of farmed animals. The legal ordeal faced by Tracy Murphy highlights the challenges sanctuary owners often encounter while striving to protect animals from exploitation.

### NOTES ###

In Defense of Animals highlighted Tracy Murphy’s story for Activist Appreciation Month in February of 2024. Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/WyZ5MVT8-Xg 

CONTACTS:

Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

Tracy Murphy, Asha’s Farm Sanctuary, tracy@ashasanctuary.com, 716-480-2571

IMAGES: https://bit.ly/AshasSanctuaryPix

ORGANIZATIONS:

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 41-year history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. In Defense of Animals Sustainable Activism Campaign provides emotional and spiritual tools to help people who help animals. www.idausa.org/SustainableActivism 

Asha’s Farm Sanctuary is a rescue she founded over a decade ago for abused, neglected, and starved cows, pigs, and birds. Today the sanctuary educates thousands on common and inhumane practices in animal agriculture and ignites social change by empowering people to adopt a compassionate vegan lifestyle. www.ashasfarmsanctuary.org

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