--- title: Legality of ‘cow sharing’ examined date: 2005-12-20T09:32:19-08:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/legality-of-cow-sharing-examined-2" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Legality of ‘cow sharing’ examined ![](http://www.ecoliblog.com/cow-goatshareNew.jpg) State law permits people to obtain unpasteurized milk from unlicensed dairy farms that have three or fewer cows, according to the Tribune. Such small dairy farms do not have to be licensed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, but they are not supposed to advertise or sell milk to anyone who does not physically pick it up. Washington law allows the sale of raw milk if the dairy farm is licensed and the milk is labeled as potentially dangerous. Other states also have restrictions against the sale of raw milk, but advocates have found ways to get around the laws pertaining to the sale of unpasteurized milk. Selling the raw milk as a pet product which can then be sold is one method. A consumer buy the “for pets” product and consumes it themselves. Another method is “cow-sharing,” where people buy “shares” of a cow rather than the milk itself. In this method, people drink the milk provided by their “pet” for free, because they “own” the cow. Dee Creek Farm, the source of the current E.coli outbreak, practiced such “cow-sharing”. They were unlicensed to sell raw milk to the public, but feel that people are free to consume the milk of a cow they “own”. Officials are trying to determine the legality of the practice. Oregon Department of Agriculture officials have asked the Oregon Department of Justice whether state laws and department rules permit “cow-sharing”. ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House 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The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. 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