Idaho Dairy Workers Charged With Animal Cruelty - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

UPDATE: Animal Rights Group Says Companies Should Sever Ties With Idaho Dairy

Posted: Updated:
File photo File photo

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - An animal rights group hopes a video they shot at Idaho's largest dairy operation will convince some major corporation to stop using the dairy's products.
    
The video was shot using a hidden camera by a member of Mercy for Animals who got a job at Bettencourt Dairies' Dry Creek Dairy in Hansen for a few weeks this summer. It showed workers stomping, dragging and beating cows inside a milking barn. Three former dairy workers have been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
    
Mercy for Animals executive director Nathan Runkle hopes the video will convince Kraft Foods, Burger King and other companies to stop using the company's products.
    
Both Kraft and Burger King say they take the matter seriously, but say they do not have a direct relationship with Bettencourt Dairies.

PREVIOUS COVERGE:

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Three former dairy workers with Idaho's largest dairy operation have been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after undercover video shot by an animal rights group showed workers stomping, dragging and beating cows inside a milking barn.

The video was shot using a hidden camera by a member of Mercy for Animals inside Bettencourt Dairies' Dry Creek Dairy in Hansen. It shows workers beating cows with a cane, kicking and stomping fallen cows, and a cow dragged by a chain around her neck.

Dairy owner Luis Bettencourt says he's sickened by the video and has fired the workers involved. He's since hired an additional supervisor and installed cameras in his milking barns.

Nathan Runkle with Mercy for Animals says the group hopes Kraft Foods will quit using milk from Bettencourt Dairies.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.