Mercy for Animals
Shocking undercover video of chickens being brutally abused and tortured at a chicken catching company in Chilliwack B.C. was released yesterday following the launch of a formal investigation by the BC SPCA.
The undercover video, filmed by the non-profit group Mercy for Animals between May 10 and June 9, 2017, documented several workers and a supervisor at Elite Farm Services Ltd. participating in numerous “acts of animal cruelty and gross noncompliance with federal and provincial laws, regulations, and guidelines,” according to a statement by the BC SPCA.
As per the BC SPCA, the “absolutely sickening” footage shows the perpetrators dismembering chickens as well as hitting and throwing the birds and forcing them into violent sexual acts with one another.
Vancouver Sun
“It displays some of the most callous and sadistic actions involving animals that I’ve ever seen,” said Marcie Moriarty, the SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer, on Monday. “It is extremely difficult to watch.”
The organization plans to recommend charges of animal cruelty under both the Criminal Code of Canada and under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
CTV reported that in addition to the BC SPCA, Mercy for Animals has also filed a formal complaint with the RCMP, the Canadian Food inspection agency alleging “an ongoing pattern” of animal cruelty by Elite which is a licensed farm labor contractor hired to collect broiler chicken from across the province before delivering them to Lilydale/Sofina Foods Inc. slaughter plant in Port Coquitlam.
Toronto Sun
An undercover operation by the non-profit group in 2014 led to an investigation at Chilliwack Cattle Sales Ltd. and convictions and jail time under the B.C. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“When I saw this footage, it’s the first time in my career that I have truly had to stop to take breaks,” Krista Hiddema, vice-president at Mercy for Animals told CTV further claiming that this latest investigation was much more disturbing than the previous one. This is the worst for the first footage I have ever seen. The level of abuse is simply sadistic.”
According to CTV, the organization’s complaint also included reports from numerous veterinary and animal care experts who also described the video footage as “the worst kind of deliberate abuse.”
In a statement issued by Elite, the company declared that it was “appalled and sickened by the acts that have been described in the video” while Sofina foods called the footage “horrifying” and requested that all of the employees involved be dismissed immediately.
The Elite statement confirmed it will take immediate action after viewing the video and will cooperate fully with any government or enforcement authorities to ensure this never happens again.
If convicted, as they should be based on the appalling footage captured on video, the individuals and company could face a fine up to $75,000, a maximum five-year jail sentence, and up to a lifetime ban on owning or being around animals.
People can donate to the BC SPCA Here. Donations to Mercy for Animals can be made Here.
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