Chilliwack Cattle Sales boycott threatened over animal abuse video

More than 90,000 people have signed an online petition calling for dairy companies to take action after disturbing video surfaced showing workers abusing cows at a B.C. dairy farm.

Change.org petition calling for boycott garners more than 90,000 signatures

Mike Clarke CBC News Posted: Jun 15, 2014 2:59 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 15, 2014

Abuse of cows at B.C. dairy farm

10 years ago

2:27

Outrage is growing over hidden camera footage that shows farm workers kicking and beating the animals

More than 90,000 people have signed an online petition calling for dairy companies to take action after disturbing video surfaced showing workers abusing cows at a B.C. dairy farm.

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: See undercover video

The change.org petition was launched by Mercy for Animals Canada after it released undercover video last week showing workers physically abusing cows at Chilliwack Cattle Sales, which describes itself as Canada's largest dairy farm and supplies brands including Saputo and Dairyland.

The petition urges Saputo to adopt an animal welfare policy for its dairies including zero tolerance for animal abuse; proper treatment of sick and injured animals; and video monitoring systems streamed live online.

The petition threatens a boycott if Saputo doesn't comply.

The undercover videofrom the non-profit groupMercy for Animals Canada shot by an activist posing as an employee of the farm showed dairy cows being whipped and beaten withchains andcanes, as well as punched andkicked.

It showed cowssuffering from open wounds and injuries, andbeinglifted by their neckswith chains and tractors.

The operation fired the eight employees involved

In the wake of the video, the B.C. Milk Marketing Board suspended milk pick-up from the B.C. farm, but reinstated it a day later following a report from veterinarians and assurances from Chilliwack Cattle Sales it was complying with B.C. SPCA orders.

SPCA investigating

Mercy for Animals has said the company failed to provide adequate training or respond to the concerns raised by its undercover member before the video's release.

Among the abuses captured in the undercover video is a worker using a tractor to drag a dairy cow by its neck, while two other employees hit the animal repeatedly. (Mercy for Animals Canada)

It rejected claims by farm co-owner Jeff Kooyman that none of the owners knew about the abuse.

B.C. SPCA enforcement officer Marcie Moriarty saidChilliwackCattle Sales has so far been cooperating with its investigation. The B.C. SPCA is recommending charges of animal cruelty against the eight employees.

Kooyman says his farm haszero tolerance for animal abuse and promised it would be installing cameras in the barns and retraining staff.

In 2008, Chilliwack Cattle Sales was cleared of charges relating to the transport of injured cows.