In a stunning victory for animal rights and due process, a California family has been awarded a $300,000 settlement from Shasta County after their young daughter’s beloved pet goat, Cedar, was unlawfully seized by sheriff’s deputies and sent to slaughter. The shocking case, which began with a dispute over county fair rules, has sparked national outrage and raised serious questions about the limits of law enforcement authority.
A Heartbreaking Turn of Events
Nine-year-old Jessica Long and her family had entered Cedar, then just seven months old, into the Shasta County Fair’s livestock auction in June 2022. However, the young girl had a change of heart, realizing she couldn’t bear to part with her cherished pet. The family withdrew Cedar from the auction before bidding began, even offering in writing to compensate the would-be buyer.
Shockingly, fair officials refused to accept the withdrawal, citing obscure fair regulations. Despite the family’s pleas, Cedar was sold for a mere $902. Desperate to save their daughter’s goat, the Long family took matters into their own hands, relocating Cedar to a farm over 200 miles away in Sonoma County.
An Unlawful Search and Seizure
After extensive litigation, Shasta County agreed to a substantial $300,000 settlement, acknowledging the severe emotional distress and trauma inflicted upon Jessica and her family. While the financial compensation cannot bring Cedar back, Shakib emphasized its significance as a crucial first step towards justice and accountability.
The Fight Continues
Although the settlement with Shasta County and its sheriff’s office marks a major milestone, the Long family’s legal battle is far from over. They are continuing to pursue litigation against the fair organizers, employees, and a volunteer who played roles in the heartbreaking ordeal.
This disturbing case has shed light on the vulnerability of animal rights, even in the context of cherished family pets. It underscores the critical importance of due process and the limits of government overreach, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures.
As Jessica Long and her family continue their fight for justice, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds we share with our animal companions and the devastating consequences when those bonds are severed by unlawful actions. The tragic tale of Cedar the goat has become a rallying cry for advocates seeking to strengthen legal protections for all animals and to ensure that no family endures such a heartbreaking loss again.
After extensive litigation, Shasta County agreed to a substantial $300,000 settlement, acknowledging the severe emotional distress and trauma inflicted upon Jessica and her family. While the financial compensation cannot bring Cedar back, Shakib emphasized its significance as a crucial first step towards justice and accountability.
The Fight Continues
Although the settlement with Shasta County and its sheriff’s office marks a major milestone, the Long family’s legal battle is far from over. They are continuing to pursue litigation against the fair organizers, employees, and a volunteer who played roles in the heartbreaking ordeal.
This disturbing case has shed light on the vulnerability of animal rights, even in the context of cherished family pets. It underscores the critical importance of due process and the limits of government overreach, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures.
As Jessica Long and her family continue their fight for justice, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds we share with our animal companions and the devastating consequences when those bonds are severed by unlawful actions. The tragic tale of Cedar the goat has become a rallying cry for advocates seeking to strengthen legal protections for all animals and to ensure that no family endures such a heartbreaking loss again.
Undeterred, the detective allegedly continued his pursuit, traveling to other farms without proper search warrants. Eventually, Cedar was located and turned over “to third parties whom they deemed to be his rightful owner outside of any lawful judicial process,” as stated in the legal complaint. Tragically, the beloved pet was then slaughtered, unbeknownst to Jessica and her family who were out of town at the time.
As a result, the young girl who raised Cedar lost him, and Cedar lost his life. Now plaintiffs can never get him back.
– excerpt from the lawsuit filed by the Long family
A Path to Justice
Represented by attorney Vanessa Shakib, co-director of Advancing Law for Animals, Jessica Long and her family filed a federal lawsuit against Shasta County and the involved sheriff’s office employees. The complaint alleged gross violations of their constitutional rights, including denial of due process and unreasonable search and seizure.
After extensive litigation, Shasta County agreed to a substantial $300,000 settlement, acknowledging the severe emotional distress and trauma inflicted upon Jessica and her family. While the financial compensation cannot bring Cedar back, Shakib emphasized its significance as a crucial first step towards justice and accountability.
The Fight Continues
Although the settlement with Shasta County and its sheriff’s office marks a major milestone, the Long family’s legal battle is far from over. They are continuing to pursue litigation against the fair organizers, employees, and a volunteer who played roles in the heartbreaking ordeal.
This disturbing case has shed light on the vulnerability of animal rights, even in the context of cherished family pets. It underscores the critical importance of due process and the limits of government overreach, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures.
As Jessica Long and her family continue their fight for justice, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds we share with our animal companions and the devastating consequences when those bonds are severed by unlawful actions. The tragic tale of Cedar the goat has become a rallying cry for advocates seeking to strengthen legal protections for all animals and to ensure that no family endures such a heartbreaking loss again.
Undeterred, the detective allegedly continued his pursuit, traveling to other farms without proper search warrants. Eventually, Cedar was located and turned over “to third parties whom they deemed to be his rightful owner outside of any lawful judicial process,” as stated in the legal complaint. Tragically, the beloved pet was then slaughtered, unbeknownst to Jessica and her family who were out of town at the time.
As a result, the young girl who raised Cedar lost him, and Cedar lost his life. Now plaintiffs can never get him back.
– excerpt from the lawsuit filed by the Long family
A Path to Justice
Represented by attorney Vanessa Shakib, co-director of Advancing Law for Animals, Jessica Long and her family filed a federal lawsuit against Shasta County and the involved sheriff’s office employees. The complaint alleged gross violations of their constitutional rights, including denial of due process and unreasonable search and seizure.
After extensive litigation, Shasta County agreed to a substantial $300,000 settlement, acknowledging the severe emotional distress and trauma inflicted upon Jessica and her family. While the financial compensation cannot bring Cedar back, Shakib emphasized its significance as a crucial first step towards justice and accountability.
The Fight Continues
Although the settlement with Shasta County and its sheriff’s office marks a major milestone, the Long family’s legal battle is far from over. They are continuing to pursue litigation against the fair organizers, employees, and a volunteer who played roles in the heartbreaking ordeal.
This disturbing case has shed light on the vulnerability of animal rights, even in the context of cherished family pets. It underscores the critical importance of due process and the limits of government overreach, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures.
As Jessica Long and her family continue their fight for justice, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds we share with our animal companions and the devastating consequences when those bonds are severed by unlawful actions. The tragic tale of Cedar the goat has become a rallying cry for advocates seeking to strengthen legal protections for all animals and to ensure that no family endures such a heartbreaking loss again.
The family’s actions prompted an aggressive response from Shasta County law enforcement. According to the lawsuit, a sheriff’s detective, acting on orders from superiors, obtained a search warrant for a Napa County farm after seeing an Instagram post rallying support to save Cedar. However, the goat was not found at that location.
Undeterred, the detective allegedly continued his pursuit, traveling to other farms without proper search warrants. Eventually, Cedar was located and turned over “to third parties whom they deemed to be his rightful owner outside of any lawful judicial process,” as stated in the legal complaint. Tragically, the beloved pet was then slaughtered, unbeknownst to Jessica and her family who were out of town at the time.
As a result, the young girl who raised Cedar lost him, and Cedar lost his life. Now plaintiffs can never get him back.
– excerpt from the lawsuit filed by the Long family
A Path to Justice
Represented by attorney Vanessa Shakib, co-director of Advancing Law for Animals, Jessica Long and her family filed a federal lawsuit against Shasta County and the involved sheriff’s office employees. The complaint alleged gross violations of their constitutional rights, including denial of due process and unreasonable search and seizure.
After extensive litigation, Shasta County agreed to a substantial $300,000 settlement, acknowledging the severe emotional distress and trauma inflicted upon Jessica and her family. While the financial compensation cannot bring Cedar back, Shakib emphasized its significance as a crucial first step towards justice and accountability.
The Fight Continues
Although the settlement with Shasta County and its sheriff’s office marks a major milestone, the Long family’s legal battle is far from over. They are continuing to pursue litigation against the fair organizers, employees, and a volunteer who played roles in the heartbreaking ordeal.
This disturbing case has shed light on the vulnerability of animal rights, even in the context of cherished family pets. It underscores the critical importance of due process and the limits of government overreach, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures.
As Jessica Long and her family continue their fight for justice, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds we share with our animal companions and the devastating consequences when those bonds are severed by unlawful actions. The tragic tale of Cedar the goat has become a rallying cry for advocates seeking to strengthen legal protections for all animals and to ensure that no family endures such a heartbreaking loss again.
The family’s actions prompted an aggressive response from Shasta County law enforcement. According to the lawsuit, a sheriff’s detective, acting on orders from superiors, obtained a search warrant for a Napa County farm after seeing an Instagram post rallying support to save Cedar. However, the goat was not found at that location.
Undeterred, the detective allegedly continued his pursuit, traveling to other farms without proper search warrants. Eventually, Cedar was located and turned over “to third parties whom they deemed to be his rightful owner outside of any lawful judicial process,” as stated in the legal complaint. Tragically, the beloved pet was then slaughtered, unbeknownst to Jessica and her family who were out of town at the time.
As a result, the young girl who raised Cedar lost him, and Cedar lost his life. Now plaintiffs can never get him back.
– excerpt from the lawsuit filed by the Long family
A Path to Justice
Represented by attorney Vanessa Shakib, co-director of Advancing Law for Animals, Jessica Long and her family filed a federal lawsuit against Shasta County and the involved sheriff’s office employees. The complaint alleged gross violations of their constitutional rights, including denial of due process and unreasonable search and seizure.
After extensive litigation, Shasta County agreed to a substantial $300,000 settlement, acknowledging the severe emotional distress and trauma inflicted upon Jessica and her family. While the financial compensation cannot bring Cedar back, Shakib emphasized its significance as a crucial first step towards justice and accountability.
The Fight Continues
Although the settlement with Shasta County and its sheriff’s office marks a major milestone, the Long family’s legal battle is far from over. They are continuing to pursue litigation against the fair organizers, employees, and a volunteer who played roles in the heartbreaking ordeal.
This disturbing case has shed light on the vulnerability of animal rights, even in the context of cherished family pets. It underscores the critical importance of due process and the limits of government overreach, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures.
As Jessica Long and her family continue their fight for justice, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds we share with our animal companions and the devastating consequences when those bonds are severed by unlawful actions. The tragic tale of Cedar the goat has become a rallying cry for advocates seeking to strengthen legal protections for all animals and to ensure that no family endures such a heartbreaking loss again.
