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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.