NEWFANE, N.Y. — The cows have come home.
The owner of an animal sanctuary was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly refusing to return cows that wandered onto the facility to their rightful owner.
Tracy Murphy, 59, of Newfane, was arrested for third-degree grand larceny, a class D felony, according to a news release from the New York State Police. She was arraigned at the Niagara County Correctional Facility shortly after 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, WGRZ-TV reported. She pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the television station.
"All I wanted was for me to get my cattle back. Obviously, I made a complaint with the state police and they are pressing charges against her. I guess it's up to the courts at this point." https://t.co/SSUc4TPbsn
— WGRZ (@WGRZ) August 3, 2022
For now, at least, the beef between Murphy, who owns Asha’s Farm Sanctuary in Newfane, and cattle farmer Scott Gregson, has ended.
“I knew I was going to get my cattle back, I knew they were my cattle and I had evidence proving that,” Gregson, who owns McKee Farms, told WIVB-TV.
On July 16, a cow and a steer wandered onto Asha’s Farm Sanctuary, according to the television station.
“I still to this day don’t know how they got out,” Gregson, 43, told USA Today. “The fence is in good shape and the gates were all locked.”
Murphy and Gregson spoke with one another on July 22, according to the Union-Sun & Journal of Lockport. Murphy insisted that Gregson would need to show proof of ownership.
Three days later, Gregson visited the animal sanctuary with members of his family and state troopers and asked for the cattle, according to the newspaper. Murphy allegedly refused, stating that authorities would need a warrant, and reiterated that Gregson needed documentation.
“I would say it’s a little unorthodox,” New York state trooper James O’Callaghan told WIVB. “When any sort of animal crosses into your property, I mean they’re still not technically yours.”
According to the state police news release, New York’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation collaborated with the Niagara County SPCA, the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office and Newfane town officials. A warrant was executed to retrieve the cows from Murphy’s sanctuary and she was arrested.
Gregson said he would not press additional charges against Murphy.
“I just wanted my cattle back,” said Gregson told the Union-Sun & Journal. “I don’t have any plans to go after her in civil court.”
Murphy’s pro-bono legal counsel, Matt Albert, did not respond to a request for comment, the newspaper reported.
As of Wednesday, Murphy remained free after posting bail, USA Today reported. If convicted of the crime, Murphy faces prison time.
©2022 Cox Media Group
