The farm-to-hospital dining trend is gaining popularity, with fresh food from local farms being served in hospitals. However, a Westchester County farm that supplies meat to a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant is facing controversy after two of their guard dogs escaped, attacked a neighbor, and killed her poodle. The large-breed dogs, Luna and Akbash, had been guarding livestock at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture when the incident occurred. The attack resulted in severe injuries to the victim, Yong Ging Qian, and led to calls for the dogs to be put down.
The farm successfully managed to delay the order to euthanize the dogs through legal appeals, but criticism against the farm’s practices intensified. Concerns were raised about the height of the fences at the farm, with some former employees and experts questioning their effectiveness. The Stone Barns Center has a history of animals wandering outside of their enclosures, including escapes of livestock such as cows, pigs, and goats. Despite these incidents, the farm maintained that escapes were rare and primarily caused by external factors such as predators or damage to fencing.
The dogs that escaped were working as guardian dogs, protecting the livestock at the farm from predators like foxes and coyotes. The animals raised at the farm are often served at the farm’s partner restaurant, Blue Hill at Stone Farms, known for its farm-to-table dining and sustainable practices. The farm’s mobile fencing, which was identified as a potential escape route for the dogs, was defended by a spokesperson for the Stone Barns Center, who claimed that the fencing was industry-leading and routinely monitored for any deficiencies.
The incident has sparked a debate about farm practices and animal safety, with Yong considering legal action against the farm due to her injuries. Despite the severity of the attack, some individuals, like former employee Mike Peterson, defended the dogs, describing them as “very sweet.” Meanwhile, neighbors expressed concern over the dogs’ behavior and the need for better containment measures. The fate of the dogs remains uncertain, as legal battles and public opinion continue to weigh on the decision to euthanize them.
While the Stone Barns Center has faced criticism for the incident, it remains committed to its use of guardian dogs as part of its livestock protection measures. The farm emphasized the importance of these dogs in safeguarding the animals and stressed that the recent incident was the only time a guardian dog had bitten a person or another dog. As the farm addresses concerns over its fencing and animal containment, the community and the public await further updates on the situation and the future of Luna and Akbash.
In conclusion, the farm-to-hospital dining trend faces challenges as incidents like the one at the Stone Barns Center raise questions about farm practices and animal safety. The farm’s use of guardian dogs as part of its livestock protection measures has come under scrutiny following the attack on a neighbor and her pet. While legal battles continue and discussions surrounding the incident persist, the community, the farm, and the public grapple with the complexities of balancing agricultural practices, animal welfare, and public safety in the farm-to-table movement. The fate of the dogs Luna and Akbash remains unresolved, as stakeholders weigh options and consider the implications for future farm operations and community relationships.
