ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—The BC SPCA is investigating a disturbing new case of chicken industry abuse. In the early hours of June 28, a B.C. resident was walking her dog down a public street when she witnessed abuse at a chicken facility. She saw and recorded workers clutching multiple chickens upside down in each hand, throwing the struggling chickens into crates, and shoving the crates closed while chickens’ legs and wings were still protruding.
“When rounded up for slaughter, chickens farmed for meat routinely endure unfathomable cruelty,” said lawyer Anna Pippus, director of farmed animal advocacy for Animal Justice. “It is well-documented that these vulnerable baby animals are frightened and stressed, regularly suffering from broken bones, dislocated joints, bruising, and bleeding. Animal Justice’s position is that business-as-usual in the chicken industry violates animal protection laws that prohibit causing animals to be in distress. If someone were treating puppies this way, we’d be outraged and demand prosecution. Chickens are no different in their desire to be free from suffering and we should equally protect them from harm.”
Animal Justice filed an official complaint with the BC SPCA, which prompted the investigation. Animal Justice is calling for charges under the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
This footage comes just a few weeks after a Lilydale chicken catching contractor was exposed for its brutal treatment of chickens. The BC Chicken Marketing Board and Chicken Farmers of Canada assured consumers that the behaviour was not standard in the chicken industry.
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The video can be seen here.
Animal Justice’s complaint can be downloaded here.
For more information, contact:
Anna Pippus
Director of Farmed Animal Advocacy
[email protected]
