Investigation Finds Rampant Animal Abuse at Tyson Foods Supplier
Tyson Foods, the nation’s largest meat producer, will end its relationship with an Oklahoma pig farm after video obtained by the animal rights group Mercy for Animals revealed serious cases of animal abuse.
“This factory farm is hell on Earth for pigs,” Nathan Runkle, executive director of Mercy for Animals told NBC News. “Tyson has allowed a culture of cruelty and neglect to fester at this factory farm facility. This is some of the most sadistic and malicious cruelty to animals I have ever witnessed.”
The video shows employees kicking, hitting and throwing pigs, as well as slamming piglets into the ground. NBC shared the video with Tyson executives who took immediate action against the animal abuse. “We’re extremely disappointed by the mistreatment shown in the video and will not tolerate this kind of animal mishandling,” Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Tyson Foods told NBC. “We are immediately terminating our contract with this farmer and will take possession of the animals remaining on the farm.”
The farm’s owner has also taken action against the abuse. “I was stunned that anyone could be that callous in their treatment of any animal,” said Lonnie Herring. “After viewing the video, I immediately returned to my farm and terminated the employees seen in the video.”
Mercy for Animals obtained the video between mid-September to mid-October by an undercover activist working as a farmhand at West Coast Farms in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma. West Coast Farms supplies Tyson Foods with pork products.
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Image: Stephen Luke Edd
