Canada's largest dairy farm convicted of animal cruelty

Three workers at a dairy farm in Chilliwack were caught viciously kicking, punching and beating cows, and using chains and tractors to lift sick and injured cows by their necks, according to Mercy For Animals.

The employees of Chilliwack Cattle Sales, Travis Keefer, Chris Vandyke and Jamie Visser were convicted and pleaded guilty of violating the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

A sentence is expected to come down in May.

Mercy For Animals caught the incidents on hidden cameras.

Chilliwack Cattle Sales is the largest dairy farm in Canada and in December one of its owners was recently fined $350,000 for animal cruelty.

"The wheels of justice are finally turning for these tortured animals, said Krista Hiddema, vice president of Mercy For Animals in Canada.

Because of this investigation, BC agricultural minister Norm Letnick has amended the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice.

The BC Milk Marketing Board reported 25 per cent of BC dairy farms failed to comply with the provincial code and showed reports of overcrowding, lame or soiled cattle, tails accidentally pulled off by machinery and more.

The BC SPCA and Mercy For Animals were instrumental in the convictions.

The video below is disturbing and requires you to click the "I understand" blue link in the top left of the video.