B.C. farm responds to animal cruelty allegations as hidden camera video emerges
Warning: The details and images associated with this story may be disturbing to some readers and viewers.
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- A dairy farm has responded to allegations of animal cruelty after the B.C. company’s dairy licence was suspended, pending an investigation.
The B.C. Milk Marketing Board announced last week it suspended the licence of Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford after it was provided information regarding violations to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, and following a subsequent inspection of the farm.
Video obtained of the farm has also prompted a B.C. SPCA investigation. The footage, filmed anonymously, was first sent to Animal Justice, a national animal law advocacy organization.
The video shows a worker with a cane repeatedly beating a dairy cow in the face. Another cow is seen being picked up and dragged by its hind legs by a heavy piece of machinery. Numerous other animals are seen being kicked and beaten.
Holger Schwichtenberg, chair of the B.C. Dairy Association, said the video was “difficult to watch” and that he believes some of the actions constitute abuse.
“As a dairy farmer my whole life, what I saw in those videos was upsetting,” Schwichtenberg said. “The beating of cows, moving cows with the hip lifter, the rough handling treatment of calves, that's all against the accepted code of practice that’s spelled out to every dairy farmer.”
Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer of the B.C. SPCA, described the behaviour as “completely unacceptable.”
CTV News made multiple attempts to contact Cedar Valley Farms, but its owners declined an interview. Instead, the company emailed a statement on Friday.
“As a farm and as a family, we have long taken a stand that animal care and animal welfare are very important to us,” the statement said, in part. “We are very saddened by recent events and are in immediate action to get to the bottom of any activities that differ from our animal care commitments.”
The company also questioned how the video was obtained.
“We reserve further comment here as we support the work of all industry bodies, and the ongoing police investigation involving trespass, breaking and entering and illegal activity including animal harm by the trespassers related to this story on our farm,” the statement said.
Const. Paul Walker with the Abbotsford Police Department confirms Cedar Valley Farms contacted APD to report a break-and-enter late last month, three days after the company’s dairy licence was suspended. There is now an open investigation.
“Although the break-and-enter was reported to us on Oct. 30, we are looking back through CCTV to confirm dates that the farm had been broken into,” Const. Walker wrote in an email.
Asked about the allegations of “animal harm by the trespassers,” Walker said if any evidence related to those claims surfaces, it will be referred to the B.C. SPCA.
“At this time we are investigating this incident as a break-and-enter, looking at all evidence that’s available to us,” he said.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Allison Hurst and CTVNews.ca's Anthony Vasquez-Peddie
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.