HEWLETT, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Nearly 70 chickens that fell off the back of a truck on Long Island have been rescued and brought to safety.
Authorities found the 66 chickens and roosters in crates on the side of road along Peninsula Blvd. in Hewlett, according to John Di Leonardo of Long Island Orchestrating for Nature (LION).
He told WCBS 880 that the birds were likely headed to a slaughterhouse but escaped when their crates fell off the truck transporting them.
“We don't know what truck they fell off. There were about seven crates just lying on the side of the road,” he said.
Di Leonardo said, unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find chickens forgotten about in inhumane conditions.
“This is a very common occurrence in the agriculture, ‘agribusiness’ industry,” he said. “Unfortunately, chickens are exempt from the Animal Welfare Act. They’re exempt from the Humane Slaughter Act. So, they are very few laws that protect them.”
The chickens and roosters are now in a safe area in Suffolk County with plenty of space for them to roam free.
Di Leonardo tells WCBS 880 that many of them are still very young and will have a full life ahead of them.
“A lot of people don't realize the slaughter age for chickens is only about six to eight weeks so most of these chickens are actually still peeping,” he explained.
Di Leonardo noted some of them have already been adopted out to rescue groups, and more are scheduled to move on to permanent homes.
“We actually already had a lot of luck finding homes for them so, we’re not looking for further adopters for these chickens,” he said. “But we also do have many ducks and other animals up for adoption.”
For more information on how to support the rescued animals, or to adopt another animal in need, visit LION’s website.
Related
Related
