Rescuing Baby Goats is a Felony?: Attorney Taj Uppal on Facing Prison for Saving Two Lives

This month’s Animal Law Podcast features attorney Taj Uppal, who was arrested and charged with felony grand theft after rescuing two sick baby goats from Vera Goat Dairy, a California factory farm supplying Meyenberg Goat Milk to retailers like Whole Foods and Walmart. Uppal walks through the investigation that preceded the rescue, his arrest by Kings County Sheriff’s deputies, and the legal fight to get his felony charges reduced — including a stunning update recorded after the episode.

• Factory farm exposed: Drone and ground footage revealed an ongoing illegal “dead pile” of goat carcasses at Vera Goat Dairy, first cited by the California Water Board in 2021.
• The rescue and arrest: Uppal and fellow activists rescued two emaciated, sick baby goats in broad daylight before being arrested hours later during a peaceful protest outside the farm.
• The $950 felony threshold: California law caps petty theft at $950 — with the goats valued at just $150 each, Uppal’s defense argues the felony grand theft charge cannot legally stand.
• A body-cam bombshell: Leaked footage captures the arresting sergeant ordering a deputy to “make sure it’s a fucking felony,” raising serious questions about prosecutorial misconduct and a possible conflict of interest tied to the district attorney’s past ties to the farm’s owner.
• Faith, community, and hope: Uppal reflects on how his Sikh faith and its principle of oneness shape his animal advocacy, and what the movement could learn from tight-knit religious communities.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

 Taj Uppal is an attorney and organizer facing over six years in prison for rescuing factory-farmed animals.

We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode’s interview.

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