New footage shows calves punched and kicked at California dairy farm
Workers were seen kicking calves and pulling them by the nose with pliers.
Credit: DxE
Workers at a calf ranch near the Central California town of Modesto have been documented punching an kicking animals.
Animal rights activists from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) used drones to capture footage from calf-raising operations in Central Valley, California in February of this year.
The facility in question, Agresti Calf Ranch in Ceres, near Modesto, raises calves for Double D Dairies, which is a supplier to American Humane Society-certified brand Clover Sonoma.
The workers were also filmed pulling a calf by their nose with pliers and yanking calves by their tails.
Footage also showed two workers removing the budding horns of a calf with a hot iron: while one held the terrified animal’s head, the other applied the iron. After a puff of smoke, the calf fell to the side, looking motionless. No trace of anaesthetic was seen, despite anaesthesia being required to fulfil humane guidelines for horn removal.
Credit: DxE
Calves’ horns are often removed to prevent injury between animals as well as accidents with their human handlers, which can arise as a result of the extreme confinement of factory farms.
Temple Grandin, an expert in animal husbandry, reviewed the footage and said the calves’ reaction indicates that no pain medication was used.
The American Humane Society said that following the release of the footage, one of the workers was terminated. Clover Sonoma have also said that they have cut ties with Double D Dairies – but at the time of writing, Double D Dairies was still listed as a supplier on their website.
After the findings were released, an attorney working with DxE reported these violations of California’s animal cruelty statuteto the Stanislaus County District Attorney, Sheriff, and Animal Services.
The District Attorney and Sheriff are yet to respond to the complaint. Animal Services said, “we have coordinated with [the] appropriate organization to monitor what is happening at the location you provided".
Even so, no plans for action against the company have been shared, despite several requests for updates. After DxE filed the reports, an attorney representing Agresti sent DxE members a cease and desist letter, threatening legal action if they do not cease “eavesdropping on my client’s facilities.”
California's dairy industry contributes over $23 billion to the state GDP every year, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture has several boards dedicated to promoting the consumption of dairy products and influencing public perception of these products.
"The dairy industry has the government in its pocket,” said Lewis Bernier, a DxE farm investigator. “It is free to torture defenseless baby animals, and instead of stopping the cruelty, the state's ag department will actively help cover it up with a happy marketing slogan."
If you’re inspired to take a stand for farmed animals, join Species Unite’s 30-Day Plant-Powered Challenge. It’s a month of free recipes, tips, and daily emails that help you explore delicious plant-based meals and reduce demand for farmed animals. Sign up here to make a compassionate change, one meal at a time.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
