LOCKPORT — The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is warning area farmers to be on the lookout for suspicious activity around their livestock.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, “law enforcement across the region was made aware of an animal activist meeting taking place on Saturday, April 15th. The meeting was advertised on social media as a forum to encourage animal rescue.”
The meeting offered “instruction on stages of animal rescue, researching of facilities and winning at trial. This group is actively recruiting individuals for this purpose. All farmers in the area need to be aware and stay alert of suspicious activity related to this meeting,” according to the press release.
A pair of Newfane area farms had reported suspicious activity to law enforcement over the past weekend, saying that “individuals typically arrive by vehicle and attempt to do surveillance of the farm. The intent of the surveillance is to gather information for a potential rescue of farm animals.”
The topic even came up at a meeting of the Niagara County Legislature Monday night when Legislator Shawn Foti discussed the threat to farmers, calling it “vegan extremism.”
Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said, “any illegal action taken by these individuals will be treated as criminal activity. The entering of private property, entering of buildings or stealing of livestock is a crime. Law enforcement in Niagara County will be vigilant for any of this activity and take appropriate action if a crime is committed. I stand with our farmers and the protection of their property.”
Please report any suspicious activity in and around our local farms by calling 716-438-3393 or 911 in an emergency.
