A Chilliwack, BC chicken farm has fired five people after video footage emerged that shows workers torturing the animals and forcing them to perform sex acts on each other.
“We are sickened with the footage and want to ensure all our suppliers and producers that this is not reflective of who we are, our fundamental beliefs or behavior we accept from our employees,” Elite Farm Services president Dwayne Dueck said in a statement.
Videos by VICE
“We do not condone or tolerate animal abuse. We understand the severity of this situation and are committed to taking immediate corrective action.”
The BC SPCA said in a press release Monday that it was investigating Elite Farm Services, a chicken catching service that rounds up chickens for slaughter on behalf of Lilydale/Sofina Foods.
Between May 10 and June 9, advocacy group Mercy For Animals took undercover footage that allegedly shows Elite employees and even a supervisor beating, killing, and maiming chickens and forcing them into “violent sex acts” with each other, according to the BC SPCA.
“The video includes some of the most brutal and sadistic acts of violence against animals I have ever seen,” said BC SPCA chief prevention and enforcement officer Marcie Moriarty. “It is extremely difficult to watch.”
She said the group will be recommending multiple charges of animal cruelty; she is also calling for the actions on the video to be condemned by the poultry industry.
Convictions could result fines of up to $75,000, a maximum five-year jail sentence and up to a lifetime ban on owning or being around animals.
Follow Manisha Krishnan on Twitter.
