SAFE to take calf-abuse footage global

Two animal welfare groups have released undercover videos of dairy (bobby) calf treatment, showing what one of the organisations called “systemic cruelty and deliberate violent abuse of helpless calves”.

“Overall we believe the separation of bobby calves from their mothers at such an early age is inherently harsh and we would welcome the exploration by the dairy industry of alternatives”.

SAFE executive director Hans Kriek said the footage was horrifying.

Shocking secret camera footage from New Zealand reveals the cruel fate suffered by cows in the dairy industry with distressed mothers hopelessly chasing quads taking away their calves only hours after they are born.

Animal rights group SAFE has released footage of calves allegedly being abused and left to die on New Zealand farms.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy must immediately investigate the way in which the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been enforcing animal welfare standards in our dairy industry, the Green Party said today.

“Speak up for the animals, yes, that’s great, we should all do that more often”.

Ms Milne and Mr Kriek also weigh in on recent developments in the Saudi sheep farm saga.

“We are shocked and farmers are too”, he said.

“We will be asking questions of everyone involved”, he said.

“Most people have no idea of the situation with bobby calves and it comes as a big shock”, she says.

“They are literally left like rubbish, to be picked up at the side of the road”.

“We know that New Zealand is very sensitive about its worldwide trading reputation, so we are going to talk to consumers of New Zealand dairy”, he says.

“These animals pay a heavy price for our insatiable appetite for dairy – and massive industry profit”.

MPI deputy director general regulation and assurance Scott Gallacher said the nature of the footage was unacceptable.

“Anybody seeing this type of abuse would be appalled”.

The video was aired on TV One’s Sunday program and has caused outrage across New Zealand with the Ministry for Primary Industries launching an investigation, TVNZ reports.

But Mr Gallacher says every priority is being placed on the investigation and they’re still in the process of compiling evidence before looking to take further action.

MPI says it launched an investigation when it obtained the footage in September.

The maximum penalty for wilful ill-treatment of animals was five years in prison and a fine of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars ($65,510) for individuals and a maximum of 500,000 New Zealand dollars ($327,450) for a company.