Earlier today, Cody Larson and Lloyd Blackwell, two former
workers at Chilliwack Cattle Sales—the largest dairy factory farm in Canada—pleaded
guilty to a total of three counts of violating the BC Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act. The Chilliwack Provincial Law Court has sentenced Larson to 20
days in jail and a fine of $4,000. His jail time starts this Friday. Larson is also
prohibited from having large animals in his custody or care for a year.
Blackwell was sentenced to pay a fine of $7,000 and he is prohibited from
having large animals in his custody or care for three years. Both offenders
have two years to pay their fines.
Today’s convictions and sentences follow an MFA undercover
investigation at Chilliwack Cattle Sales, the largest dairy factory farm in
Canada. Video footage shows Larson viciously beating cows with canes, kicking
cows, throwing objects at a bull’s testicles, and throwing feces in the face of
a cow who was unable to stand. Footage shows Blackwell aiding in lifting a cow
by a chain around her neck.
Watch the footage that led to these convictions here:
Larson’s and Blackwell’s convictions are two more in a
string of convictions stemming from this groundbreaking investigation. On May
18, 2017, the Honorable Justice Gary Cohen sentenced three former Chilliwack
Cattle Sales workers to a total of 127 days in jail and prohibited them from
having custody or control of any animal for up to three years. These landmark
sentences marked the
first time in Canadian history that former factory farm workers were
sentenced to jail for malicious animal abuse exposed through an undercover
investigation by an animal protection organization. Last December, in another historic
victory for animals, Chilliwack Cattle Sales and its owner Wesley Kooyman
were convicted of animal cruelty and ordered to pay fines totaling almost $350,000.
Two more workers’ cases are still outstanding.
The cruelty exposed through MFA’s Chilliwack Cattle Sales
investigation prompted British Columbia agricultural minister Norm Letnick to
amend the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to incorporate the Dairy Code
of Practice. MFA is now calling on all provinces to incorporate the Dairy Code
of Practice into their provincial animal cruelty legislation. Giving the Dairy
Code of Practice the force of law will require the dairy industry to follow
basic minimum standards for animal welfare.
You can act today to protect cows and other farmed animals
from needless suffering and violence by choosing a healthy and humane vegan
diet. Visit ChooseVeg.com for ideas on
how to go dairy-free!