The Animal Rights Group Mercy for Animals has leaked a disturbing video documenting animal abuse at a farm that contracts with DiGiorno‘s pizza.
In the clip you can hear a worker grunting as he whips an unresponsive cow.
Matt Rice is the Director of Investigations at Mercy for Animals, the group that put together the video. He told VOR the footage reveals grave abuse.
“Our investigator documented workers viciously kicking, beating, whipping cows in their faces and bodies, and dragging them by their fragile legs and necks using chains attached to a tractor.” Nestle has responded to the story by announcing it will no longer buy milk or cheese from Wiese Brothers Farm in Brown County, Wisconsin.
Rice says there are no federal laws regulating animal treatment on farms.
Unlike domestic pets, farm animals have few if any legal protections. Here’s Matt Rice, who says it’s a really big problem:
“And most states specifically exclude farmed animals from legal protection. Meaning that these farmers are often able to get away with treating thousands or even millions of animals in ways that would warrant felony cruelty charges if even one cat or dog were the victim instead.” Still, “Mercy for Animals” is taking legal action that they’re hopeful will lead to arrests. Wisconsin – unlike many other states – does have some laws protecting its dairy cows. Law enforcement officials are investigating the case.
But still, it won’t necessarily have a big impact.
The group’s only option is to target the low wage workers carrying the whips. They can’t take aim at the farm’s owners or at the multinational corporations the Weise Brothers contract with, like Nestlé.
Gene Baur, President of Farm Sanctuary, says that workers are usually under heavy pressure to do their job. “Often times in these places the workers are pushed just like the animals are pushed. And the workers become frustrated and they resort to cruel treatment of animals. And that’s what we see in this video very plainly.”
And what does Nestlé have to say about the treatment of its work animals? Apparently nothing, as they did not respond to repeated requests from VOR.
So it looks like for now, this might remain the status quo for many factory farms across the country.
Horrific undercover video taken by a Mercy For Animals investigator reveals disgusting animal cruelty at a DiGiorno dairy supplier. Workers kick, beat, and stab cows and drag them by their fragile legs and necks using chains attached to tractors.
“This set of low life imbeciles need to receive the same inhumane treatment they dished out! I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only one who would love to whip them across the face, kick & poke them, then hang them upside down by a tractor!”
“Do you think if someone committed this horrific cruelty & abuse to a dog out on the street; they wouldn’t be arrested & charged for animal cruelty?? Of course they would!! I see no reason why it should be any different for workers who abuse farm animals.”
I was disgusted to see undercover video footage of workers kicking, beating, and stabbing cows at a DiGiorno cheese supplier in Wisconsin called Wiese Brothers Farms. The video also shows cows who are too sick or injured to even stand being callously tortured and dragged by their fragile legs and necks with a chain attached to a tractor.
DiGiorno should not tolerate this blatant animal abuse.
DiGiorno has the power and the ethical responsibility to ensure the cows who produce milk for your cheese are protected from needless violence and suffering.
It’s time for DiGiorno to adopt meaningful animal welfare policies for its dairy suppliers, including:
* Zero tolerance for animal abuse
* Requirement that suppliers provide a clean and sanitary environment for cattle
* Proper care and transportation for sick, injured, and downed animals
* Elimination of mutilations without painkillers, including tail docking, a cruel and outdated practice that involves
cutting through the skin, nerves, and bones of cows and is opposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association
Until DiGiorno decides to do the right thing, I will be taking my business elsewhere.
“The video captures workers engaged in numerous serious acts of direct physical abuse and overt brutality—they whip, beat, slap, kick, stab and yell profanity at the cows. … There is a culture of serious neglect and mistreatment of animals in this facility, and the animals are suffering. This must stop.”
Dr. Debra Teachout
“There is no question in my mind, as a veterinarian experienced with farmed animals, including cows, that much of what was being done to the cows was inhumane, brutal and almost certainly a violation of the anti-cruelty statutes of many if not all states.”
Dr. Nedim Buyukmihci
“Dragging live cows, and completely suspending them with the cow lift is severe animal abuse. The actions of these people went beyond rough handling and escalated to the level of cruelty. Kicking, beating, and hard whipping of downed cows is abusive.”
“Rejoice it’s Christmas, go vegetarian; drive past all the cows & other farm livestock in the fields, look them in the eye & say “I don’t eat your family”…It feels GREAT!!!”
Cows are highly intelligent and friendly animals who can form long-lasting, deep bonds of friendship with other cows and even their human caregivers. Cows have extremely complex social groups and tend to choose the herd leaders for their intelligence, experience and good social skills.
Versus:-
Researchers have shown that factory farmed cows kept in groups of more than 200 become stressed and will continually fight for dominance. Having bonds of friendship broken whenever cows are sold to other farms or slaughterhouses also heightens their stress.
============
Much like humans, cows mourn the deaths of those they love. They even shed tears over the loss of friends who are separated from them. The bond between a mother cow and her calf is particularly strong and cows are widely known to cry out for their calves if they go missing.
Versus
Like humans and other mammals, cows only produce milk when they are pregnant or nursing, so the dairy industry keeps cows in a constant cycle of pregnancy and lactation. Newborn calves are dragged away from their mothers within a day of birth so that all of their milk can be sold for profit.
============
Cows are smart and sophisticated animals who can even understand cause-and-effect relationships, which is a sign of advanced cognitive abilities. Not only do cows swiftly figure out solutions to problems, they find the challenge wonderfully exciting.
Versus
The only thing cows on dairy farms learn is that they are likely to be kicked or beaten on their way to the milking parlor two or three times a day. A study by the dairy industry indicates that nearly 40 percent of cows are lame because of intensive confinement, filth and unnaturally high milk production.
This eye-opening video takes you behind the closed doors of America’s factory farms, hatcheries, and slaughterhouses— revealing the journey that animals make from farm to fridge.
Uploaded on 3 Feb 2011
Mercy For Animals presents Farm to Fridge. Narrated by Oscar-nominee James Cromwell, this powerful film takes viewers on an eye-opening exploration behind the closed doors of the nation’s largest industrial farms, hatcheries, and slaughter plants — revealing the often-unseen journey that animals make from Farm to Fridge.
One of the most effective techniques for educating others about the health and ethical benefits of a plant-based diet is distributing literature in public places with heavy foot-traffic.
A great thing about leafleting is the lack of preparation time required. Also, at the right time and place, just one person can hand out hundreds of brochures in less than an hour.
We recommend passing out 25 Reasons To Try Vegetarian brochures which you can order from the MFA Literature Store.
Another great idea is to take MFA’s powerful new “Ask Me Why I’m Vegetarian” T-Shirt Challenge — designed to spark crucial discussions about the ways animals raised for food are treated and our moral obligation to alleviate needless suffering.
Here’s how it works:
Order a men’s or women’s cut “Ask Me Why I’m Vegetarian” t-shirt
Wear your new “Ask Me Why I’m Vegetarian” t-shirt with pride.
When someone asks about your shirt, smile and give them a 25 Reasons brochure from the packet you’ve been keeping in your purse or backpack.
Have a friendly discussion about the reasons you went vegetarian.
Pat yourself on the back. You’ve just inspired someone to move toward a compassionate diet.
Wash your shirt.
Reorder literature.
Repeat.
That’s it! By starting conversations and planting seeds of compassion, you’ll be helping to spare countless animals unimaginable suffering. Simple. Effective. Vital.
Click here to order an “Ask Me Why I’m Vegetarian” t-shirt for $25. Your t-shirt order will include a free 10-pack of 25 Reasons brochures. Click here to order more 25 Reasonsbrochures.
While individual vegetarians save lives every time they sit down to eat, we can exponentially increase the number of animals we help by encouraging others to try vegetarian living too.
Since young people tend to be very interested in vegetarianism—and open to change—college campuses and concerts are particularly good places to leaflet.
Need some inspiration? Consider the math:
Let’s be really conservative and assume that only 1% of the people who receive a brochure decide to go vegetarian after reading it. If you pass out 200 leaflets in an afternoon, that’s at least two new people who became vegetarian.
200 leaflets x 1% = 2 new vegetarians
Based on annual slaughter statistics, the average vegetarian saves over 50 animals per year (about 27 land animals, and many more aquatic animals).
If we assume that, on average, those who do go vegetarian stay vegetarian for at least one year, that equates to at least 100 animals saved from just a few hours of leafleting.
2 new vegetarians x 50 animals per year = 100 animals saved per year
Don’t underestimate the power of the pen — or keyboard and mouse! Writing letters to the media, businesses, and legislators is a great way to speak up for animals.
The animals are counting on you. Your actions, your voice, and your volunteering makes a difference. Thank you for having the courage and moral strength to act for animals and be the voice of the voiceless. With your help, we will create a more compassionate world for all beings.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.
For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE 
You must be logged in to post a comment.