Bank forecloses on farm, raises concerns about animal neglect

Foreclosure on a Glocester, RI farm has raised concerns about animal care and neglect.

Foreclosure has raised issues about animal saferty and neglect.

According the Providence Journal, on Monday, Dan MacKenzie, owner of Bonniedale Farm in Glocester, RI, was evicted from his property by Wells Fargo bank. He was forced to leave behind 136 animals, including horses, sheep, goats, ducks, geese, dogs, cats, pigs, llamas and others.

Foreclosure warning given last spring

The Providence Journal reports that MacKenzie began having financial difficulty approximately one year ago. Last spring, he was warned that his farm could be subject to foreclosure if the mortgage payments were not made. Despite fund-raising efforts, apparently Mr. Mackenzie was unable to make the payments on the farm, which Mr. MacKenzie claims to operate as an animal sanctuary.

Bank responsible for animal care

According to Dr. Ernest Finocchio, the head of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA), Wells Fargo is now responsible for the care of the animals remaining on the farm. Though the animals are still legally owned by Mr. Mackenzie, who retains the right to reclaim the animals at some point in the future, the foreclosure action places the care of the animals in the hands of the bank for now.

Threats of charges of animal neglect and abandonment

Dr. Finnochio, Glocester Animal Control Officer Michael Merchant and Dr. Scott Marshall, the state veterinarian communicated with the bank on Monday in regards to their responsibility to the animals. Dr. Finnochio felt that the bank was unprepared to deal with the situation when they took over the property. On Tuesday, he confirmed to the Providence Journal that the bank had refused help from the RISPCA despite the fact that the bank assured Mr. MacKenzie that they had arranged to have the RISPCA take care of the animals. Dr. Finnochio indicated that he did have the authority to charge the bank with animal neglect and abandonment if they were unwilling to accept their responsibility to care for the animals.

However, on Tuesday, when Dr. Finocchio and others arrived at the farm, it became clear that at least some of the animals had received no water. Dr. Finocchio, with the assistance of Joseph Warycha, RISPCA’s animal cruelty officer, personally fed and watered some of the animals on the property.

Another concern expressed by Dr. Finnochio to the Providence Journal on Tuesday was the fact that some of the animals appeared to have disappeared from the property, despite the fact that the animals technically still belong to Mr. MacKenzie.

University of Rhode Island students step in temporarily to care for animals

Tuesday evening, Dr. Marshall was able to arrange an agreement between representatives for Wells Fargo bank and students from the University of Rhode Island veterinary care program to arrange for temporary care of the animals.

According to a bulletin posted by Dr. Finnochio on www.equinesite.net, he is meeting with representatives from both sides to work out an agreement which provides proper care for the animals involved. Plans are under way to remove all animals from the farm and place them in "safe havens" until the legal dispute can be settled. In the meantime, Dr. Finnochio reminds the public that the animals remain the property of Bonniedale Farm by law and are not available for adoption.

Addendum: Per Dr. Finnochio, as of 7:00PM on Wednesday, Dec. 9, all animals on the farm are fed, watered and are safe and secure. There is a police officer securing the property this evening. The current plan, which hopefully will be carried out in court tomorrow morning, is for the RISPCA to take possession of all animals on the property and "put them up for immediate adoption to homes we feel are suitable for the specific species."

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