Victory: First-Ever Felony Charges of Cruelty to Factory-Farmed Birds! February 5, 2009
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This was just posted on the main PETA blog and we wanted to share it with you!:
In a huge victory for animals, a grand jury has issued 19 indictments for cruelty to animals against three former employees of Aviagen Turkeys, Inc. And it gets better—11 of the indictments are on felony charges. This marks the first time in U.S. history that factory-farm employees have faced felony cruelty-to-animals charges for abusing birds.
These indictments are the result of PETA's undercover investigation at Aviagen's factory farms in West Virginia, which uncovered workers stomping, kicking, throwing, and killing turkeys in unimaginably cruel ways.
It's great to see the authorities take this case seriously. But Aviagen itself? Not so much.
As you may recall, a couple of weeks back, a whistleblower told us that some of the turkey torturers were still employed by Aviagen, despite the company's promise to fire all the workers caught violating its purported animal-welfare policies. PETA's letter to the company president about this has gone unanswered. And Aviagen has refused to give any specific details about the actions it claims to have taken. So, as far as we can tell, Aviagen hasn't yet implemented even one of the seven improvements we suggested to them. If you're as riled about this as we are, please take a minute to ask Aviagen executives to stop sitting on their thumbs and take some specific steps toward preventing the continued torture of birds in the company's sheds.
Bet these indictments have got them sitting up and paying attention, though. And not just at Aviagen (I'm looking at you, Butterball, Pilgrims Pride, and Tyson). And I suspect the charges might make those drumsticks a little harder for some folks to swallow too.
Stay loud!
Comments
This has been loooooooooong over due. I'm glad something is finally being done.
Posted by: Lindsay at February 5, 2009 4:26 PMIts about damn time!!
Posted by: Briana at February 5, 2009 5:21 PMIF THERE IS A BEING WE CALL GOD, BUDDAH, ALLAH, THAN WOULD THIS BE WHAT HE WOULD WANT OR ENVISION HIS CHILDREN TO DO ? ? ? I FIND IT SO HORRIFIC THAT I'M PHYSICALLY SICK AT WHAT MAN IS CAPABLE OF; I PARTICIPATED WITH MY ENTIRE GROUP ON THIS ISSUE AND CONGRADULATE THOSE WHO MADE THESE MENTALLY SICK PEOPLE PAY FOR THEIR EVIL.
i hate to be stereotypical, but i never would have expected this from west virginia :) they really did a good job though, this is awesome news!
except for that the cruelty had to happen in the first place...
Posted by: cody at February 5, 2009 6:07 PMWell done.
This is what needs to start happening all over the world.
One step forward for animal rights.
Even though this is overdue, it's great to see that something is being done and that people are finally getting charged. Being the first time, hopefully this will set a standard for animal abuse, and send a message to the companies that use these procedures.
Posted by: Alicia at February 5, 2009 6:48 PMGood Job Guys Yay We did it!!!!!
VIctory is Ours.
Posted by: kaitlyn MARY at February 5, 2009 8:56 PMIt is about time, PETA is doing well!
Posted by: Lori Autumn at February 5, 2009 9:16 PMIt's about time something has been finally done to these horrible, despicable, and not to mention psychotic.
This is only the beginning, a small slice in a large piece of "Cruelty Pie."
Thank you for the footage. =]
Posted by: Jeff at February 5, 2009 11:08 PMthis shows that man is capable of truly terrible things. that poor turkey was looking to man for assistance, and he shoves a broom down its throat? is that how we would act to our children if they get hurt and want us to nurse their wounds?! i sure hope not. this goes to show what will happen if we coninue to beat and murder all of God's beautiful creations. it sickens me.
Posted by: Michelle at February 6, 2009 4:52 PMAs someone who lives in WV, this just truly sickens me. It's people like those employees who give the citizens of WV and the state itself such a bad name. Now that this has been brought to my attention, I definitely want to follow the story and see what becomes of these horrible people.
Posted by: Samantha at February 7, 2009 12:54 AMI am in tears & literally sick to my stomach after watching this footage. I wonder if it makes these men feel macho when they do these vile things? Is this how they get their jollies??
You are deplorable if it makes you feel better to brag about yelling at turkeys. yeah, way to go big guy...u sure r tough.
I can't understand why these actions haven't been punished all along. Michael Vick funded a dog fighting ring & he's in jail, but these pathetic excuses for men do these abominable acts DAILY & then go home!! I can not wrap my mind around it. Thank you PETA for putting this information out there.
& I hope all of u rot in prison for felony offenses. Get ur jollies there!!
I'm overwhelmed with happiness. Way to go!
These birds have no one to speak out and help them and I hope all of those involved get what they deserve.
Keep up the good work :)
One small step for turkeys, one giant leap for animal rights!
Posted by: Little_Lotte at March 3, 2009 7:54 PMPost a comment
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Good job!! These people need to be punished. They must have really sick minds to think what they're doing is okay. It's disturbing.
Thanks for exposing them! ;-)
Posted by: David at February 5, 2009 4:02 PM