JEFF CAPLAN'S MY MINUTE OF NEWS
Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Farming is getting complicated
Aug 9, 2024, 11:00 AM
Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
SALT LAKE CITY — Things are finally calming down in Newfane, a farming area in western New York where cattle graze.
A couple of years ago two cows, Hornee and Blackee, escaped and wandered onto the neighbor’s farm. You know what happens, the neighbor makes a phone call and the cows are returned. But this neighbor is a vegan and her farm is an animal sanctuary. So she refused to give the cows back to face a death sentence.
Mr. Gregson, the cows’ owner, showed up repeatedly- police at his side- demanding his cows. But Tracy Murphy, the heroic sanctuary owner — or evil cow-napper depending on your perspective — stood her ground. She declared that if you want your cows, you have to pay me nine days’ worth of hay, straw and all the care given to Hornee and Blackee. $2500. Or she offered to buy the cows which she had already renamed Little Willow and Ismail.
As he pressed his case the farmer received death threats. So did Ms. Murphy, as well as promises to kill her children. Streets protests came next, as local farmers with bullhorns deemed her the Heffer Hider.
Politicians came to town, so did Fox News. Locals honked their horns and set up a grill right at her property line and cooked steaks. This all continued until finally Ms. Murphy was arrested. The cows were confiscated and as quick as you could blink, Mr. Gregson turned Blackee and Hornie into burgers.
But that’s not all.
Next, vegan Joaquin Phoenix stood up for Ms. Murphy who’s now out on bail, speaking at animal rights events. And as the battle in Newfane rages on Facebook, The Times reports Tracy Murphy could face a year in jail. Mr. Gregson bought new locks for his gates.
Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.
