RISPCA will find homes for animals on foreclosed farm

PROVIDENCE—A court agreement on Thursday provides care for dozens of animals that were left behind on a Glocester farm when the owner was forced to leave because of foreclosure.

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals will take control of the animals at Bonniedale Farm within the next two or three days.  The animals will be transferred to suitable facilities and prepared for adoption.

“These animals are now in the care, custody and control of the SPCA. They’re a qualified entity. They’re going to put staff and people on the ground,“ said Guy Settipane, lawyer for the farm’s former owner.

Dan MacKenzie turned Bonniedale Farm into home for unwanted farm animals.  He lost the property to foreclosure on Monday.

Some of his 136 animals started to disappear. They either escaped or were given away under suspicious circumstances.

“Our main concern is finding out what happened with them and taking care of the ones that are there,“ MacKenzie said.

Officials said 55 animals remain at the farm.  A fund has been set up at the RISPCA to help care for them.

MacKenzie said he’s already chipped in $42,000 in donations he’s received. But his critics said he’s received more than $60,000 in donations and they are questioning what he did with the money.

He said it’s all being spent on the animals.

As for his future, MacKenzie said when it comes to helping animals, his job is never done.

“It’s never over. No. If I have one breath left in me, I’m going to do it for the animals. That’s my life. That’s what I love doing,“ MacKenzie said.