Guilty pleas entered by Chilliwack, B.C., company in chicken abuse case
A Chilliwack-based chicken-catching company has entered two guilty pleas in connection with a case stemming from an investigation into abuse allegations at multiple B.C. farms.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada said Elite Farm Services pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts under the Health of Animals Act. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
In 2018, 38 charges were laid against the company, along with its owner Dwayne Paul Dueck, and Ontario-based Sofina Foods Inc., following an investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Sofina, which sells chicken under the Lilydale brand, had hired Elite to catch the poultry.
The probe was sparked after animal activists released undercover video in 2017 that allegedly captured farm workers mistreating chickens, slamming them against crates and even tearing the leg off a live bird.
Elite fired six employees shortly after the video surfaced, including a crew supervisor, and said it was "sickened" by the footage.
CTV News Vancouver has reached out to the company for comment, but so far has not received a response.
Former vice-president for Mercy For Animals in Canada Krista Hiddema was with the organization when one of their investigators shot the video.
“It was some of the most egregious cruelty footage I had ever seen,” she said. “While there were only two charges, which is unfortunate, it is a step forward.”
Hiddema said the case also demonstrates why concerns have been raised over agriculture protection legislation in other provinces which activists say could keep them out.
“We cannot bring charges when we don’t have eyes and ears on the ground,” she said. “Transparency is the only way to conduct ethical business.”
Animal law lawyer Rebeka Breder says more needs to be done to ensure oversight and transparency in animal agriculture.
“We need to have government inspectors that are funded by the government have the ability to go in unannounced as many times as they like throughout the year,” she said. “I hope that with these charges and hopefully very high penalties it sends a strong message that such outright abuse, or any abuse for that matter, is illegal.”
On Elite's website, a response posted in 2018 to the charges being laid said since the video emerged, it has "worked hard to make sure we have a company culture that is based on respect for the animals under our stewardship."
"We are educating our employees in respectful animal handling and transport practices and working to create an atmosphere of transparency and trust, so our employees will feel safe if they see anything that needs to be addressed in any of our practices," Elite said.
The case is scheduled to be back in Chilliwack court on Oct. 14.
This is a developing story. More details to come.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.