A sheep rescued by Iowa Farm Sanctuary volunteers in Missouri that was later euthanized is shown in this photo provided by the nonprofit.

UPDATE Aug. 24, 2024 — The University of Missouri provided a statement, below:

OXFORD, Iowa — A nonprofit that provides a safe haven for farm animals has filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center after the center euthanized sheep that volunteers had rescued.

The Oxford-based Iowa Farm Sanctuary, which rescues, rehabilitates, and cares for rescued farm animals, filed the lawsuit this week.

See more: Iowa’s first farm sanctuary

Spokesman Travis Zimpfer said the university typically does not comment on pending litigation, but provided the following statement: “We deny that the university is liable for the claims in the lawsuit. We will provide our response to the suit in court, as appropriate.”

Read more from Iowa Farm Sanctuary:

Iowa Farm Sanctuary has announced the filing of a federal lawsuit against the University of Missouri’s Veterinary Health Center following a distressing incident involving the euthanization of several healthy sheep. The lawsuit, which was filed yesterday, addresses severe violations of the sanctuary’s constitutional rights and seeks justice for the sheep and the emotional distress caused by these actions.

On June 25, 2023, Iowa Farm Sanctuary’s Executive Director Shawn Camp and a team of dedicated volunteers rushed to the scene of a trailer crash on a Missouri highway where severely injured sheep were present. In a race against time to save the animals, the sanctuary’s representatives transported the sheep to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center for urgent medical care.

Upon arrival, the Center required a $1,000 pre-treatment deposit. Over the next 24 hours, the sanctuary provided informed consent for treatment, yet received a troubling call on June 26 demanding additional payment without any update on the sheep’s condition. After multiple requests for information regarding the status of the animals, the Center withheld crucial details, leaving Plaintiffs in a state of confusion and distress.

It was only after seeking legal counsel that Plaintiffs learned that all remaining healthy sheep had been euthanized at the Center the previous week. This unnecessary and avoidable killing, coupled with the refusal to communicate about the animals’ well-being, has caused extreme emotional distress to the sanctuary and its director.

The lawsuit claims that the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center violated Iowa Farm Sanctuary’s procedural and substantive due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and their rights against unlawful seizure and destruction of property under the Fourth Amendment. Plaintiffs are entitled to relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and seek declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief.

“Animals are not mere property; they are living beings deserving of compassion and respect,” said Shawn Camp, Executive Director of Iowa Farm Sanctuary. “Our organization is committed to fighting for the rights of these animals and ensuring that no other sanctuary faces such a devastating loss due to negligence.”

Iowa Farm Sanctuary stands firm in its commitment to advocate for the welfare of animals and will continue to seek justice for the sheep who were senselessly killed by those who were entrusted with their care.

Iowa Farm Sanctuary is represented by Jessica Blome and Lily Rivo of Greenfire Law, PC.

One of the sheep rescued by Iowa Farm Sanctuary in Missouri that was later euthanized is shown in this photo provided by Iowa Farm Sanctuary.