Earlier today, three Chilliwack Cattle Sales workers were
convicted of violating the British Columbia Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act. Travis Keefer, Chris Vandyke, and Jamie Visser pleaded guilty to animal
cruelty charges and will be sentenced in early May.
convicted of violating the British Columbia Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act. Travis Keefer, Chris Vandyke, and Jamie Visser pleaded guilty to animal
cruelty charges and will be sentenced in early May.
Today’s convictions were prompted by a Mercy For Animals undercover
investigation at Chilliwack Cattle Sales, the largest dairy factory farm in
Canada. Hidden-camera footage reveals workers viciously kicking, punching, and
beating cows with chains, metal pipes, canes, and rakes; and gleefully poking
and squeezing festering wounds of cows suffering from oozing infections and
gruesome injuries.
investigation at Chilliwack Cattle Sales, the largest dairy factory farm in
Canada. Hidden-camera footage reveals workers viciously kicking, punching, and
beating cows with chains, metal pipes, canes, and rakes; and gleefully poking
and squeezing festering wounds of cows suffering from oozing infections and
gruesome injuries.
Watch the footage that led to these convictions here:
MFA’s investigation led to a total of 20 animal cruelty charges
against the factory farm, its owners, and its workers. Today’s convictions
follow a historic
victory for farmed animals in Canada, stemming from the same investigation.
In December, Chilliwack Cattle Sales and one of its owners were convicted of
animal cruelty and ordered to pay fines of almost $350,000. Four workers’ cases
are still pending, with a trial date set for May of this year.
against the factory farm, its owners, and its workers. Today’s convictions
follow a historic
victory for farmed animals in Canada, stemming from the same investigation.
In December, Chilliwack Cattle Sales and one of its owners were convicted of
animal cruelty and ordered to pay fines of almost $350,000. Four workers’ cases
are still pending, with a trial date set for May of this year.
According to reports obtained through freedom of information
requests, the BC Milk Marketing Board found that more than 25 percent of British
Columbia’s dairy farms had failed to comply with the provincial code of
practice for animal welfare over an 18-month period. Inspection reports showed
cows crammed together, cows unable to walk, cows lying on concrete, and cows
whose tails were accidentally torn off by machinery. Calves were branded and
dehorned without medication. Many farms were unable to produce any manual
outlining their management practices.
requests, the BC Milk Marketing Board found that more than 25 percent of British
Columbia’s dairy farms had failed to comply with the provincial code of
practice for animal welfare over an 18-month period. Inspection reports showed
cows crammed together, cows unable to walk, cows lying on concrete, and cows
whose tails were accidentally torn off by machinery. Calves were branded and
dehorned without medication. Many farms were unable to produce any manual
outlining their management practices.
MFA’s investigation prompted British Columbia’s agricultural
minister Norm Letnick to amend the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to
incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice, which outlines minimum guidelines for
the treatment and welfare of cows on Canada’s dairies. MFA is calling on all
provinces to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice into their provincial
animal cruelty legislation to require the dairy industry to follow basic
minimum standards for animal welfare.
minister Norm Letnick to amend the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to
incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice, which outlines minimum guidelines for
the treatment and welfare of cows on Canada’s dairies. MFA is calling on all
provinces to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice into their provincial
animal cruelty legislation to require the dairy industry to follow basic
minimum standards for animal welfare.
Although these convictions send a strong message to the
dairy industry that animal abuse will not be tolerated, ultimately, the best
thing that we can do to protect cows and all animals from needless suffering
and violence is to choose a healthy and humane vegan diet. Visit ChooseVeg.com for ideas on how to go dairy-free!
dairy industry that animal abuse will not be tolerated, ultimately, the best
thing that we can do to protect cows and all animals from needless suffering
and violence is to choose a healthy and humane vegan diet. Visit ChooseVeg.com for ideas on how to go dairy-free!
