Maple Lodge Farms facing cruelty allegations after hidden camera footage surfaces

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) has launched an investigation into Maple Lodge Farms after an animal rights activist used a hidden camera to film while working at one of its factories.

The employee who recorded the footage is a member of the animal rights group Mercy for Animals.

“This is some of the worst footage I have ever seen,” said Krista Osborne of Mercy for Animals.

“We have birds that show up after transport frozen to death. We have birds that are being hung upside down painfully. They are shackled, they are dumped into electrified vats of water. They have their throats slit all while still alive and fully conscious and able to feel pain.”

The group has filed complaints with the OSPCA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), accusing them of breaking the law.

The CFIA didn’t immediately reply to request for a comment.

In Septembers 2013, Maple Lodge Farms was convicted of cruelty to chickens, and the company pleaded guilty to 18 additional charges last March. It was ordered by the CFIA to spend at least $1 million to come into compliance with federal rules.

Maple Lodge Farms declined an interview request with CityNews, but its CEO issued a statement on the company website.

“I want to stress that we have a zero tolerance policy for any violation of our animal welfare policies,” said Michael Burrows. “We will take appropriate disciplinary action, including dismissal, in any instance where our welfare policies have not been followed.”

Osborne wasn’t buying it.

“Given that they have already been charged 18 months ago and have failed to do anything I would suggest they are not taking this seriously.”

Last week, Maple Lodge Farms said it was launching an internal investigation into the allegations.

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