As she was being transported to a New Jersey slaughterhouse, a cow made a daring 10-foot leap off the second level of the truck taking her there. Landing uninjured on Route 80 in Paterson, the cow made a run for it.
The reason this cow was probably so desperate to escape is because she was pregnant. She "knew where she was going and knew to protect herself and her baby, no doubt in my mind," said John DeCando, the animal control officer who corralled her.
Shocked by the fact that there's currently no state law in New Jersey (nor a federal law) that prevents pregnant cows and other livestock from being slaughtered, DeCando wrote to state congressmembers, urging them to do something about it.
"Brianna's Law" (A-4886), introduced in January 2019 by Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, would make it a fourth-degree animal cruelty crime in New Jersey to transport for slaughter, sell or otherwise provide for slaughter, or slaughter a pregnant cow. Violators would be fined up to $10,000 for each conviction and could spend up to 18 months in prison. The bill also includes civil penalties from $3,000 to $5,000.
As for the pregnant runaway cow who inspired this bill, she was taken in by Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in New Jersey and named Brianna. A few days later, Brianna gave birth to a healthy calf. They will both spend the rest of their lives at the sanctuary.
Too many other cows and livestock aren't as lucky as Brianna. Please sign and share this petition urging New Jersey legislators to pass "Brianna's Bill" to save the lives of pregnant livestock.
Photo credit: Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue/Facebook
