How This Disturbing Animal Cruelty Happened (Taped)?
A quite disturbing video portraying animal cruelty has surfaced in recent times. The video that was shot by Mercy for Animals, a leading animal rights advocacy group, has led to an investigation by BC SPCA.
In its report, BC SPCA claims the video shows workers at the Chilliwack Poultry Farm abusing and torturing live chickens. There are even reports that the video shows the workers forcing the chickens into violent sexual acts with each other.
The video was shot by Mercy for Animals in an undercover operation that took place between May 10 and June 9. It was initially intended to document the operations of Elite Farms Services Ltd., a company that is responsible for rounding up and transporting chickens to the Port Coquitlam Slaughter plant for Lilydale/Sofina foods.
Vegans and indeed animal lovers everywhere will be appalled to learn that the video shows workers at the Chilliwack Farm ripping live and conscious chickens apart and even tearing their limbs from their bodies.
Further action by the workers that constitute cruelty [since they had nothing to do with the preparation of the chickens for humane slaughter] includes throwing the chickens around, kicking and hitting them, stomping on them and even forcing them into violent sexual acts with one another.
Alert: This footage contains disturbing animal cruetly material:
It is also clear in the video that the workers’ supervisor appeared to have been involved in the cruel acts. Additional action by the workers that constitute cruelty [since they had nothing to do with the preparation of the chickens for humane slaughter] includes throwing the chickens around, kicking and hitting them, stomping on them and even forcing them into violent sexual acts with one another.
In condemning the violent and demeaning acts, the Chief Prevention and Enforcement Officer at BC SPCA, Marcie Moriarty said,: “The video contains the most brutal and sadistic acts against animals I have ever seen.”
She further added that the images were sickening and that the video was very difficult to watch. She said the company needs to be held accountable and the workers shown brutalizing the poor chickens needed to be prosecuted.
The Investigation Under the Law
The brutalization of animals is a prosecutable offense under Canadian Law and Moriarty in her statement said that the BC SPCA has already commenced steps towards ensuring the offenders are brought to justice.
Investigators assigned the case will soon compile and send a report to the Crown Council that will recommend multiple charges of animal cruelty under both the Criminal Code of Canada and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Under the law, the offenders, whether individuals or companies could face a fine of up to $75,000, a maximum of 5 years in jail and even be banned from owning or being around animals for life.
The prosecutorial process will be lengthy but the proponents of the ethical treatment of animals, which is the cornerstone of the veganism everywhere, will be happy to know that it is unlikely for the culprits to evade justice.
The BC SPCA has in the meantime called for all players in the poultry industry to denounce and condemn the cruel acts. It also expected that Elite Farm Services will suspend the workers involved as well as all contracts with the companies involved.
Doing so will be a show of good faith even as all parties say they will cooperate fully with the investigation. The BC SPCA says that it will also conduct a review of all monitoring systems in the province to determine if there are any more unreported incidents.
Two years ago, Chilliwack was also involved in a similar animal cruelty case involving dairy cows. At the time, the BC SPCA conducted widespread investigations that led to major changes being implemented in the dairy industry.
Thanks to the efforts of Mercy for Animals in bringing this current video to light, the BC SPCA expects a similar overhaul in the poultry industry.
The Company’s Reaction
Sofina Foods has responded to the allegations in a statement, saying that they have reviewed the video and that they were shocked by the footage.
In the statement, the company went on to condemn the actions of the workers saying Sofina Foods in no way “tolerates or condones” the act and that “ethical and responsible treatment of animals is of the utmost importance” to the company.
Going beyond the mere act of condemning these cruel actions, according to this news site, Sofina Foods says it has taken steps to begin an investigation of the incident and is seeking internal and external expertise to help deal with the situation at hand.
The company has also asked the owner of the supply company to dismiss the workers depicted in the video immediately and says they will collaborate with the BC SPCA and authorities to facilitate a speedy investigation of the alleged incident.
Folks, what else must happen, before animal cruelty stops? Going vegan is the only logical answer for so many reasons, yes?
What´s your take? Share this if you care!
