Newly released hidden camera video secretly shot by an
investigator with Mercy For Animals at one of the nation's top veal
producers exposes baby calves chained by their necks in narrow
stalls, where they cannot even turn around or walk.
The covert footage was recorded at Buckeye Veal Farm in Apple
Creek, Ohio, and reveals baby calves chained inside 2-feet wide
wooden stalls -- so narrow they cannot turn around, walk, run, play,
socialize with other animals, or engage in other basic natural
behaviors. In such tight confinement, the animals are unable to lie
down comfortably, breathe fresh air, see sunlight, clean themselves
or bond with their mothers.
Sadly, the majority of calves
raised for veal in the United States are subjected to this harsh and
intensive confinement for their entire 18 to 20-week lives.
After viewing the footage, Dr. Marc Bekoff, an animal behavior
expert at the University of Colorado, Boulder, stated: "Frankly, the
treatment of these calves is disgusting, horrific, and
reprehensible."
Yet, Costco and Giant Eagle grocery stores
around the nation continue to sell veal from calves raised in this
inhumane manner.
Due to its inherent cruelty, the American
Veterinary Medical Association opposes chaining calves in
restrictive crates and five U.S. states, as well as all 27 countries
in the European Union, have outlawed their use.
Sickened by
the conditions endured by these baby animals, Bob Barker, Emmy
Award-winning host of Price is Right and longtime animal advocate,
is joining MFA in urging consumers nationwide to boycott dairy and
veal and Costco and Giant Eagle to
immediately end the sale of veal -- much of which comes from the
facility investigated.
In letters sent to CEOs of both
companies, Mr. Barker wrote: "As a civilized society, it's our moral
obligation to prevent needless animal cruelty. Chaining baby calves
in crates where they cannot even turn around is abusive and totally
unacceptable."
While veal production represents one of the
most abusive forms of animal agriculture, animal suffering is also
widespread throughout the meat, dairy, and egg industries.
Undercover investigations by MFA at
dairy farms,
pig farms,
egg farms,
hatcheries,
and slaughterhouses
have all exposed cruelty and violence to farmed animals.
Compassionate consumers can end their direct financial support of
farmed animal abuse by rejecting veal, and other animal products,
and adopting a vegan diet.
