Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Hybrid Turkey pleads guilty, fined $5,600


Hybrid Turkeys Ltd. has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges laid in 2014 after Mercy For Animals released an underground video taken in the company’s barns near Bright.

Mercy For Animals president Nathan Runkle said in a press release Monday this case graphically illustrates the cruel, inhumane and illegal abuses that turkeys and other farmed animals endure on Canada’s factory farms.

“While we praise law enforcement for securing a landmark cruelty conviction in this case of horrific animal abuse, the meagre fine doesn’t fit the crime,” Runkle said.

“This factory farm got a slap on the wrist for clubbing animals over the head. We must do more to protect animals on factory farms from sickening cruelty.”

Hybrid Turkeys says it took immediate action to investigate the incident and the employees involved when made aware of the situation.

“Our company has zero tolerance for animal abuse,” said Hybrid Turkeys managing director Dave Libertini.

“We took immediate steps to address this situation. We have a solid record of investment of time and resources into all aspects of animal welfare – including research and advocacy as well as policy, procedures and training. This will continue in the future.”

Dr. Helen Wojcinski, manager of science and sustainability for Hybrid Turkeys, said the isolated incident made their internal programs even stronger.

Mercy for Animals is now pressuring Farm and Food Care to update the codes of practice to require video recordings of all employees working in livestock and poultry barns.