Safe and saved, 10 years after landmark Westport cruelty case

Nearly 50 animals still alive and well in Tiverton 10 years after massive animal abuse case shocked Westport

July 20, 2026

Christian Silvia

EastBayRI

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By Christian Silvia

Ten years to the month after one of the largest animal cruelty cases in New England history, roughly 50 animals rescued from a Westport farm remain alive and well at the West Place Animal Sanctuary, having lived out healthy and happy lives in their second act.

In 2016, more than 1,400 animals were found living in brutal conditions on a 70-acre farm off American Legion Highway. Police found scores of malnourished, sick and dead animals and many were ultimately rehomed to shelters across New England. Nearly 70 found their way to the Tiverton sanctuary.

The first batch of animals that came over a decade ago included more than 30 Japanese koi fish, and soon others arrived.

“The fish were first,” sanctuary founder Wendy Taylor recalled. “I spent five months of my life helping and being on site, not expecting they were going to ask what we could take.”

Taylor said the animals quickly became part of the sanctuary community, enjoying happy lives on what outreach director Patrick Cole described as a “second chance.”

The 30 fish have since become a community of more than 200. Other animals roam the lands as well, including Porter the peacock, which came in with four other birds.

“He’s definitely the leader of our crew. I would say he’s also one of the most vocal,” Cole added.

Porter’s fellow peacock survivor, Peyton, is also still alive and well and isn’t quite as social.

A duck by the name of Girlie is also still at the sanctuary. Girlie, which was already fully mature when she came to the sanctuary, is very elderly by duck standards.

“She is very sweet, very affectionate. Some ducks won’t let you hold them, but she likes being handled, which is amazing because she was abused and neglected by people,” Cole said.

One of the biggest success stories from the group is Sadie the goat When she first arrived she was very sick and suffered from scabbing, pneumonia and eye issues. Sadie, who came with her sister Maggie, who passed away in 2023, has continued to have health problems throughout her life, but she continues to be a happy animal.

“Sadie is probably the sweetest, most outgoing animal we’ve ever had. She loves people.”

Finally, there are two sibling sheep, Colby and Shaw, who have started their own families. Shaw is the proud mother of two offspring, whom she had with another animal named Barnaby, and Colby has continued to be close to his fellow survivors, including Sadie the goat.

Cole said that they never expected to still have survivors ten years in.

“We realized how important this decade milestone is and that we still have survivors. Every year the number does get smaller as the animals age, but to have so many still with us a decade later is a testament to not only the care that they get here, but to their resilience.”