Mercy For Animals does it again, Conklin Dairy Farms

[flvegan]

Chilling undercover footage recorded during a new Mercy For Animals investigation exposes dairy farm workers sadistically abusing cows and young calves.

Captured on hidden camera, the shocking scenes of abuse reveal a culture of cruelty at Conklin Dairy Farms in Plain City, Ohio.

During a four-week investigation between April and May, MFA's investigator documented farm workers:

* Violently punching young calves in the face, body slamming them to the ground, and pulling and throwing them by their ears
* Routinely using pitchforks to stab cows in the face, legs and stomach
* Kicking "downed" cows (those too injured to stand) in the face and neck – abuse carried out and encouraged by the farm's owner
* Maliciously beating restrained cows in the face with crowbars – some attacks involving over 40 blows to the head
* Twisting cows' tails until the bones snapped
* Punching cows' udders
* Bragging about stabbing, dragging, shooting, breaking bones, and beating cows and calves to death

After viewing the footage, Dr. Bernard Rollin, distinguished professor of animal science at Colorado State University, stated: "This is probably the most gratuitous, sustained, sadistic animal abuse I have ever seen. The video depicts calculated, deliberate cruelty, based not on momentary rage but on taking pleasure through causing pain to cows and calves who are defenseless."

Immediately upon completion of the investigation, Mercy For Animals contacted the City Prosecutor's Office of Marysville regarding the ongoing pattern of abuse at Conklin Dairy Farms. MFA is pushing for employees of the facility to be criminally prosecuted for violating Ohio's animal cruelty laws.

WARNING: Clicking the below link will take you to MFA's default page. A YouTube video will start almost immediately. One you probably don't want to see, but posted as part of the story.

http://www.mercyforanimals.org/ohdairy/

Mercy For Animals video making the news:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/nightlinedailyline/2010/05/graphic-video-more-dairy-farm-animal-abuse.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifztoqZce_892PkW9PkxIwnvTB9gD9FU8TP80

[liberalla]

1. FYI. Change.org has a petition going

SHUT DOWN CONKLIN DAIRY FARMS AND ARREST AND CHARGE GARY CONKLIN AND HIS CREW WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!

(they used all caps)

It's not nearly enough, but it's a start.

[flvegan]

2. They've already arrested one person.

There will be more. Depending on the depth of the charges, this might/should be the end of the farm.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10752325

[LaurenG]

3. This enrages me

:cry:

[flvegan]

4. UPDATE: Farm Sanctuary offers to provide rescue/refuge for Conklin Dairy animals

“Thousands of people are calling for Conklin Dairy Farm to be shut down and the animals removed,” said Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. “We have received countless calls from people all across the country expressing outrage upon viewing this video, and calling not only for prosecution of those individuals involved in these abusive acts, but also the rescue and refuge of the animals on this farm. We are equipped to provide protection for abused farm animals and we have expressed our willingness to help with local authorities.” In a statement issued yesterday, Baur called the video “an eye-opener to anyone still unsure of what all the fuss is about concerning the treatment of farm animals in Ohio,” a reference to the campaign currently underway in the state to place a measure on the ballot to enact modest reforms and protect farm animals.

Farm Sanctuary operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America through a 175 acre shelter in New York State and a 300 acre refuge in northern California, as well as an extensive Farm Animal Adoption Network. Since 1986, the nonprofit organization has rescued more than 8,000 animals and found homes for another 2,500 in need. The group also works with local law enforcement on farm animal cruelty cases helping to document conditions of the animals in partnership with local veterinarians, provide rehabilitation at their shelters for the most vulnerable animals in need, and find permanent placement for seized farm animals.

http://www.farmsanctuary.org/mediacenter/2010/pr_ohio_refuge.html

[CrispyQ]

5. I sent money to Mercy & I'm sending some to Farm Sanctuary too.

There's no way I could watch those vids. I don't understand how anyone could do that.