We make a lot of assumptions when we walk into a grocery store: that the produce has been grown, picked, and shipped with care, that the bakers wore hairnets when they made the bread, that the deli staff thoroughly clean the meat slicers every day, and so on.
We also assume that the cows that produce the milk in the dairy aisle haven’t been horribly mistreated in the process, so it’s no wonder that one farm’s milk has been disappearing from store shelves.
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Indiana’s Fair Oaks Farms has become the center of a firestorm after undercover video of horrific abuse at the farm surfaced.
Animal Recovery Mission, which describes itself as a “non profit investigative organization dedicated to eliminating severe animal cruelty operations,” released the video taken by an undercover investigator who spent three months employed as a calf care employee at Fair Oaks Farm.
The organization called it the “largest undercover dairy investigation in history.”
The disturbing video, which has been shared around every social media platform, has been viewed millions of times since its release.
“Employees were observed slapping, kicking, punching, pushing, throwing and slamming calves,” ARM said in a statement.
“Calves were stabbed and beaten with steel rebars, hit in the mouth and face with hard plastic milking bottles, kneed in the spine, burned in the face with hot branding irons, subjected to extreme temperatures, provided with improper nutrition, and denied medical attention. This resulted in extreme pain and suffering by the calves, and in some cases permanent injury and even death.”
ARM says it didn’t set out to target Fair Oaks Farms with its investigation.
Their investigator applied to several dairy farms in the area and Fair Oaks Farms was the first to hire them. “In our 10 years of being undercover, we have never seen such consistent, constant abuse to a newborn baby animal,” said ARM founder Richard Couto.
In the wake of the video’s release, area supermarkets have been removing
Jewel-Osco, Family Express, all Strack & Van Til took Fairlife products, which is supplied by Fair Oaks Farms, off their shelves, NBC Chicago reported.
“The exposé of animal abuse in the Fair Oaks Farm network is chilling.”
“A factor in our decision was the public response by Fair Oaks, asserting the notion that this was an isolated incident,” Family Express said in a statement. “The minimizing of the graphic animal cruelty offers little assurance of change in a culture that is likely in need of fundamental retooling.”
Coca-Cola, which also distributes Fairlife products, said that it has been in contact with Fairlife regarding the situation.
Fairlife has reportedly suspended deliveries from Fair Oaks Farms. “They recognize the seriousness of this situation as their founding principles are grounded in a strong commitment to sustainability, transparency and the highest standards of animal welfare,” Coca-Cola said. “We fully support and respect the proactive approach that fairlife and Fair Oaks Farms have taken and we continue to stay in contact with them to lend any support they need.”
Fair Oaks Farm responded to ARM’s video with a statement.
“As a veterinarian whose life and work is dedicated to the care, comfort and safety of all animals, this has affected me deeply,” said Fair Oaks Farms’ founder, Mike McCloskey.
“I am disappointed for not being aware of this kind of awful treatment occurring and I take full responsibility for what has happened.”
“I also take full responsibility to correct and ensure that every employee understands, embraces and practices the core values on which our organization stands.”
Meanwhile, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office announced three arrests in connection with the video.
The sheriff’s office declined to identify those charged, saying only that the three faced misdemeanor charges for the beating of a vertebrate animal, the Chicago Tribune reported. At least four people have also been fired from Four Oaks Farms over the abuse.
McCloskey has also pledged to install security cameras in areas where animals and humans interact.
The agritourism destination, which doubles as a theme park as well as a working dairy, will also showcase live feedings from an animal welfare exhibit it plans to create as part of its tours. McCloskey also said he would invite animal welfare groups to perform surprise audits every two to four weeks, as well as hiring an expert to train and monitor employees on proper animal handling and treatment.
You can watch ARM’s video below, but please take note that it contains disturbing content and is age-restricted.
h/t NBC Chicago , Chicago Tribune
