August 4, 2014
Victory! 2014 North Carolina Ag-Gag Bill Is Dead
By Matt Rice
The North Carolina legislature just adjourned without passing the dangerous ag-gag bill that threatened to shield animal abusers from public scrutiny and keep people in the dark about where their food comes from.
North Carolina was the last remaining state contemplating ag-gag in the 2014 legislative session. This important victory is due in large part to the efforts of compassionate MFA supporters across the country, and the behind-the-scenes efforts of a broad coalition of national groups working together.
The legislature is expected to reconvene for a few weeks later this year, so animal advocates will need to be vigilant to ensure the ag-gag bill does not rear its ugly head again. Of course, the ag-gag bill could still be introduced again next year. But, for now, animals and consumers alike can breathe a sigh of relief. North Carolina’s proposed legislation — similar to an unsuccessful bill introduced last year — is quite obviously a desperate attempt by the factory farming industry to keep its cruel practices hidden from public view.
As numerous investigations by Mercy For Animals prove, factory farmers in North Carolina have a lot to hide. In fact, MFA has conducted three undercover investigations at multiple Butterball turkey factory farms in North Carolina, exposing workers maliciously kicking, beating, and throwing animals. Our 2011 investigation led to the arrest and conviction of several workers, including the first-ever felony cruelty to animals conviction related to birds used for food production in U.S. history.
None of this would have been possible if the ag-gag bill had been in effect. See for yourself what North Carolina’s factory farmers are trying so desperately to keep hidden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJovxS9-RTQ
MFA’s 2014 investigation at a Butterball turkey hatchery in Raeford, North Carolina, shows newborn birds getting stuck and mangled in factory machinery, having their toes and beaks cut and burned off without any painkillers, and being dropped into a macerator to be ground up alive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRxNj3bbqyc
A 2012 investigation at multiple Butterball factory farms in North Carolina’s Sampson, Onslow, Duplin, and Lenoir counties showed rampant animal abuse, including workers kicking and stomping on birds, dragging them by their fragile wings and necks, and maliciously throwing turkeys onto the ground or on top of other birds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5LM06ZvCk4
A landmark 2011 investigation into a Butterball factory farm in Shannon, North Carolina, documented workers kicking and throwing birds and bashing in their heads with metal pipes. The abuses were so malicious that law enforcement raided the facility and ultimately convicted five Butterball employees of criminal animal cruelty. Recognizing that their cruel and often illegal actions can’t stand the light of day, factory farmers have been working hard over the past several years to keep cameras out of their facilities.
But compassionate Americans continue to stand united against this multibillion-dollar industry and the corrupt politicians that do its bidding by working tirelessly to defeat these dangerous and un-American bills.
What You Can Do to Help: Please share MFA’s undercover investigation video with as many people as you can and help expose the cruel and corrupt practices of the factory farming industry. Choose Vegetarian – Each time we eat, we can choose kindness over cruelty. Adopting a diet free of meat, dairy, and eggs is the single most powerful action you can take to prevent needless cruelty to farmed animals. Visit ChooseVeg.com for free recipes, tips on making the switch, and more.
Below are some of our recent SAV posts associated with the above:
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/06/27/usa-update-excellent-result-for-mercy-for-animals-and-proof-why-ag-gag-legislation-must-be-banned-now/
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/04/18/usa-mercy-for-animals-hidden-camera-footage-leads-to-arrest-and-criminal-charges-in-california-this-is-what-ag-gag-in-other-states-is-attempting-to-prevent-who-is-the-real-criminal/
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/06/10/usa-agriculture-gag-laws-are-violating-press-freedom-in-the-us/
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/03/04/spain-no-ag-gag-in-europe-and-so-the-manager-of-el-escobar-pig-farm-is-arrested/
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/06/04/canada-new-undercover-video-by-mercy-for-animals-shows-baby-turkeys-mutilated-ground-up-alive-at-butterball-hatchery/
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/02/27/usa-it-is-turkeys-pecking-each-other-and-themselves-and-if-you-dont-believe-me-then-you-are-a-terrorist/
July 28, 2014
Livestock Auction Owner Convicted of Animal Cruelty Following MFA Investigation
By Matt Rice
A Mercy For Animals undercover investigation at Ontario Livestock Sales, the largest livestock market in southern California, has led to the historic conviction of the facility owner.
This morning, Horacio Santorsola pled guilty to violating California’s criminal animal cruelty laws by permitting animals who were too sick or injured to stand or walk to be beaten and sold for the human food supply. Section 599f of the California Penal Code, also known as the “downer law,” prohibits livestock auctions from selling, holding, and transporting animals who are too sick or injured to stand up or walk.
Downed animals are more likely to carry diseases that threaten public health if allowed to enter the human food supply. Yet at Ontario Livestock Sales, downed animals were routinely sold, transported, and left to suffer for extended periods of time.
Santorsola was sentenced to 2 years probation and ordered to pay court fees and a fine totaling $1000 to be paid to the Inland Valley Humane Society. Seven of Santorsola’s employees have also been charged with criminal cruelty to animals. Their cases are still pending.
Here is the hidden-camera video that led to the conviction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2_KlJE5PAc
Today’s conviction follows a landmark decision by the Appellate Division of the San Bernardino Superior Court affirming the validity of California’s one-of-a-kind “downer” law and making clear that non-ambulatory animals deserve heightened protections against neglect, abuse, and malicious cruelty.
Mercy For Animals praises the San Bernardino District Attorney’s office for pursuing justice in this important case. The best way to help animals suffering in livestock markets and factory farms is to simply leave them off our plates.
For tips on transitioning to a healthy and humane vegan diet, visit ChooseVeg.com today.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »
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