Undercover Investigation Shows the Horrors of the Pork Industry

This week Fox News released yet another undercover investigation with video footage provided by Mercy for Animals of the cruelty inflicted on pigs at Country View Family Farms in Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania.

The video coverage was disturbing and heartbreaking to say the least, with workers tossing piglets around like footballs, leaving sick and injured animals untreated and continuing to use gassing equipment to kill piglets when they knew it was faulty and causing unnecessary pain and suffering.

“I can state unequivocally that the pigs in this facility suffered immensely…These people showed complete disregard for the welfare or well-being of the pigs,” said Dr. Nedim C. Buyukmihci, Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California.

You don’t have to be a licensed veterinarian to understand the level of suffering these animals endured before being haphazardly slaughtered for pork products that were sent to stores in New England including Shaws, Hannaford and Stop and Shop under the brand name Hatfield’s.

While abuse of this nature is commonly associated with factory farming, much of what’s depicted in the footage are standard industry practices on any farm, large or small, from the confinement of gestation crates so small they cause sores to mercilessly killing the runts of the litter.

“What we documented is standard and largely accepted by the pork industry and as a civilized society it’s our moral obligation to make sure animals don’t suffer needless cruelty. It’s important we look at these animals the same way we look at dogs and cats because there is no difference. They feel the same pain, the same joy our beloved animals at home do,” said Daniel Hauff, MFA Director of Investigations.

We all watch these videos and read the horror stories only to be left wondering how anyone could be so callous and cruel, but the reality of it is that everyone who consumes animal products is contributing to the perpetuation of suffering that simply isn’t justifiable for the mere taste of bacon or a glass of milk.

Interestingly, supporters of this industry would like the public to believe that these kinds of tales are just tactics used by animal rights activists to put farmers out of business. However, it would seem that those involved in animal rights and animal welfare aren’t doing anything but asking people to look at what’s happening and to educate themselves about where their food really comes from. The farming industry is digging it’s own grave here and has no one to blame.

Mercy for Animals puts it well with the statement that every time we sit down to eat, we can choose compassion over cruelty. Adopting a diet free of meat, dairy, and eggs is perhaps the single most important and powerful action you can take to prevent needless cruelty to animals.

For more information about cruelty-free options, check out ChooseVeg.com.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

federico b.

3:34AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

E' una vera e propria schifezza.

send a green star

Beth K.

8:29AM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

When I quit eating meat, the first thing I stopped was pork. That was 34 years ago, and I never missed it.

Sondra S.

8:27AM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

Additional info on whast you can do:

Change.org is a social action platform that empowers anyone, anywhere to start, join, and win campaigns for social change. Millions of people sign petitions on Change.org each month on thousands of issues, winning campaigns every day to advance change locally and globally.

7:40AM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

I agree. Telling us about these atrocities, and not giving the full picture about what is being done to stop it is frustrating to read, and tears at the very fiber of my being. Need more information about what can and what is being done to put an end to this madness and lack of humanity for animals.
I would suggest boycotting the stores who sell these products!!!!!!!! Since I live in New England I am apalled at the stores involved and will never again shop at any of them, but that is not enough. It would take massive demonstrations at each individual store.

Pat C.

3:46AM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

What is being done here to stop this cruelty??? Anything, I wonder!!!! I cannot for the life of me believe the kind of evil, cruel, sadistic people on this earth. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!! What evil, miserable B@#&*D's you are.

I want to know, do the comments on her get read or are we wasting our time. Are the petitions helping I want to know, as all I ever seen is these articles, which upset me so much I could curl up and die with the heartache I feel. My stomach just turns. I want feedback and whether any positive action is being made.

Kathleen S.

8:22PM PDT on Apr 5, 2012

I've watched the murder of animals and can't at this point watch any more. I get too angry that people can do these things. No state should outlaw the videos of the people who go undercover and show us the real truth. This kind of abuse needs to stop. All these animals can feel fear and pain, and they are so much like us. This is going on everyday in every state and every country. We all need to sign petitions, donate money, and tell everyone who will listen until the people who do this are punished.

Judy C.

10:58PM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

These people have something to hide ---- They are sadistic, worthless, COWARDS. I will keep fighting animal cruelty and neglect. TRY AND STOP ME. If it takes filming so be it.

Phil and Barbar b.

6:04PM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

This is the main reason I am a vegetarian! It is a real shame that alot of companies allow their workers to abuse these poor animals before they are slaughtered. Undercover photos should always be allowed to be taken, so we can help stop this horrible treatment of animals. We may
never be able to stop people from eating meat, but at least we can try to prevent animals from suffering abuse!!!!!!!!

Debbie H.

6:01PM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

It should only be against the law to NOT REPORT ABUSE! What genius made up this law.

Lys D.

12:08PM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

Why is it that people who reside near Country View Family Farms in Fannettsburg, in Pennsylvania cannot boycott the industry or apply pressure to have criminal actions brought against not only the corporation but also the people employed who handle the animals. These people are someone's neighbors. These people have children who play with yours. If I lived next door to someone I knew to be abusive, I'd be on the warpath. This is.outrageous. It's inherently dangerous. If these people are abusive to animals, think where else their destructive ambitions lay? I'm sick of reading stories such as these. And yes, in my hometown, I'm an activist against such behavior and work with others to stop, prevent &/or press for criminal charges. Change happens when we ALL chip in.