Mass. Ballot Question 3: Farm Animals
| Submitted | Sept. 29, 2016 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Caitlin Russell
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, ยง10, I hereby request the following records:
-Any and all complaints regarding the mistreatment or alleged mistreatment of animals on farms in Massachusetts, including information regarding how or if the complaint was resolved.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Caitlin Russell
From: Szocik, Carol (AGR)
Good Afternoon Ms. Russell,
As a follow up to your public records request to Michael Cahill dated September 29, 2016 requesting any and all complaints regarding the mistreatment or alleged mistreatment of animals on farms and how the complaint was resolved, there is some more information I need from you concerning the request:
1 - Could you narrow down a time frame for the records you are requesting; and
2 - After a brief search of the records, it has been determined that there are approximately 5,000 pages of records to go through to cull complaints related to farm animals - this will take considerable time to complete, would you be willing to narrow down your request or be more specific in what you are looking for?
Please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance.
Carol A. Szocik
Paralegal
Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1718 phone
617-626-1850 fax
carol.szocik@state.ma.us
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From: Caitlin Russell
Hello,
As far as a time frame, can you provide record for 2005-2015? I'm looking specifically for complaints of abuse or neglect of farm animals.
From: Szocik, Carol (AGR)
Good Afternoon Ms. Russell,
The file containing the records you requested consists of approximately 5,000 pages. From those pages we would have to pull the records that comply with your request regarding complaints of abuse or neglect of farm animals. An estimated cost to produce the records for your request would be approximately $275.00 based up 15 hours of search/redaction/copy time involved. The first 4 hours are at no charge, so the billable portion of this estimate is based upon 11 hours of work at $25.00 per hour. We would ask for payment in advance of working on your request.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to proceed with your request. It will take longer than 10 days to complete.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for your assistance.
Carol A. Szocik
Paralegal
Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1718 phone
617-626-1850 fax
carol.szocik@state.ma.us
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From: Szocik, Carol (AGR)
Good Afternoon Ms. Russell,
I forgot to mention in my previous email to you that animal complaints are made to the Mass. Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) and the Animal Rescue League (ARL).
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Carol A. Szocik
Paralegal
Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1718 phone
617-626-1850 fax
carol.szocik@state.ma.us
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