Animal Equality investigation reveals shocking scenes of neglect to calves at US dairy farm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

On a farm that supplies to Babybel and The Laughing Cow cheese, an undercover investigator documented calves freezing to death, sick calves left to suffer in pens with the dead, and workers jabbing and hitting animals.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqlaj9k1644

PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/animalequalityuk/albums/72157709387131647

Animal Equality today released shocking scenes filmed last winter by an undercover investigator, revealing a pattern of neglect at Summit Calf Ranch (Nebraska), a facility housing 11,000 calves and owned by Tuls Dairy a supplier of Bel Brands, producer of Babybel. 

THE DETAILS: The undercover footage reveals the prolonged suffering of dozens of calves, whose ages range from one up to 150 days old, freezing to death in temperatures that dropped to -12 F overnight. Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures resulted in frozen limbs, and the separation of the hoof from the leg of several calves. Some even died in agony.

KEY FINDINGS: Among the cruelty witnessed, our investigator found:

• Workers shoving, jabbing and hitting calves with sorting sticks and hut rods as the manager’s dog lunged and bit the backs of their legs
• Painful dehorning of calves using hot irons
• Calves dying of scours and pneumonia after being left outdoors in freezing temperatures
• Sick cows, left with dead cows, receiving no veterinary care
• Hernia repair, banding (castration) and other painful procedures without pain medication 

“Our investigation into Summit Calf Ranch revealed a shocking lack of meaningful care provided to baby calves. We documented sick newborns surrounded by their already dead pen mates in an area referred to as the ‘hospital’ where they were left to suffer for days and in many cases finally die.” said Sean Thomas, International Director of Investigations for Animal Equality. 

Animal Equality urges Bel Brands to improve its animal protections for cows and calves by adopting meaningful animal welfare standards. Please join us in asking the company to change by signing and sharing our petition. You can also help by ditching dairy in favor of more compassionate plant-based products.