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Eleven people charged for animal abuse at PA turkey farms


(WRGB)
(WRGB)
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Eleven people are facing animal cruelty charges for the alleged inhumane treatment of turkeys at seven farms in central and southeastern Pennsylvania.

According to State Police, the defendants kicked, stomped on, and beat turkeys at farms in Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Perry, and Union counties.

The defendants are identified as:

  1. Bryce P. Washington, 26, of McSherrystown
  2. Miguel Turi Cantellano, 65, of McSherrystown
  3. Juan Turi Baeza, 37, of McSherrystown
  4. Jason K. Turner, 22, of Hanover
  5. Bryiant O. Perez-Paez, 40, of Hanover
  6. Francisco M. Lebron-Cruz, 39, of Thomasville
  7. Jose E. Turi Baeza, 29, of New Oxford
  8. Kevin L. Wagaman, 49, of Fayetteville
  9. Mitchell E. Buckley, 23, of Aspers
  10. Christopher S. McArdle, 37, of Gettysburg
  11. Joseph Nunez Rosario, 41, of York.

Another individual involved has not been identified.

Those accused are said to have been employed by Plainville Farms to capture and crate turkeys for food processing plants. The investigation began in August 2021 and resulted from a complaint filed by the PETA.

Officials say a PETA employee witnessed the inhumane actions of the turkey catchers.

The charges include 6 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 76 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, and 57 related summary offenses.

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