May, 26 2010, 03:24pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Meredith Turner, Farm Sanctuary, 646-369-6212, mturner@farmsanctuary.org
Farm Sanctuary Issues Statement on Graphic Undercover Video of Abuse at an Ohio Dairy Farm
Gene Baur, President and Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary: “This video should be an eye-opener to anyone still unsure of what all the fuss is about concerning the treatment of farm animals in Ohio.”
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.
Gene
Baur, President and Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, the nation's
leading
farm animal protection organization, today issued the following
statement about
the disturbing undercover video showing wanton animal abuse at an Ohio
dairy
farm in Union County, west of Columbus, that was obtained by the animal
protection
group Mercy For Animals. The footage shows workers beating cows in the
face
with crowbars, stabbing them with pitchforks, breaking their tails, and
punching,
throwing and kicking calves.
"This video should be an eye-opener to
anyone still
unsure of what all the fuss is about concerning the treatment of farm
animals in
Ohio. The
cruel and violent behavior depicted in the video is indicative of an
attitude
that sees farm animals as mere production units, rather than as living,
feeling
animals. Undercover investigations at farms in Ohio and elsewhere
routinely turn up
instances of systemic cruelty. Farm Sanctuary has witnessed
these cruelties on
farms firsthand.
"Bad has become normal on today's farms as
workers
brag and gloat about torturing animals and agribusiness leaders insist
that
it's humane to keep animals confined in cages so small that they can't
walk, turn around, or even stretch their limbs.
"Conklin Dairy, the subject of Mercy For
Animals' investigation, asserts that its farm operates according to high
standards, but the video shows that they operate by a different set of
standards than most Americans. The cruelty and violent behavior that is
now
common on farms where animals are seen as commodities is outside the
boundaries
of acceptable conduct in our society.
Most people oppose animal cruelty, and
Ohioans now have an important
opportunity to prevent animal suffering in their state. Citizens are now
collecting signatures to place a measure on the Ohio ballot to enact
modest reforms and protect
farm animals. It's a positive step in the right direction for Ohioans
who
feel justifiably outraged by the abuse at Conklin Dairy Farms."
If you
would like to speak with Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm
Sanctuary,
a leading supporter of Ohioans For Humane Farms, please contact Meredith
Turner
at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.
Farm Sanctuary fights the disastrous effects of animal agriculture on animals, the environment, social justice, and public health through rescue, education, and advocacy.
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