MADISON (WKOW) — A grocery store in Madison chose to temporarily cut ties with an Indiana farm after video of animal cruelty surfaced this week.
In a Facebook post, Metcalfe’s Market said it has pulled Fairlife products from its shelves while authorities investigate the animal abuse allegations. Fair Oaks Farms in northwestern Indiana is the flagship farm for Fairlife, a national brand of higher protein, higher calcium and lower fat milk.
In the newly released video produced by the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM), calves are seen being stabbed and beaten, hit with branding irons, exposed to extreme temperatures and denied medical attention.
Fair Oaks Farms Founder Mike McCloskey released a statement about the allegations. He said he had no idea that abuse was happening at their facilities.
I am disgusted by and take full responsibility for the actions seen in the footage, as it goes against everything that we stand for in regards to responsible cow care and comfort. The employees featured in the video exercised a complete and total disregard for the documented training that all employees go through to ensure the comfort, safety and well-being of our animals.
McCloskey said his team was able to identify five people who were committing “multiple instances of animal cruelty and despicable judgement.” Four were farm employees, while one was a third-party truck driver. Three of those employees were fired before the video was released. The fourth was fired on Wednesday.
Other retailers have pulled Fairlife products since the video was released. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the alleged abuse.
(Photo Courtesy: Fairlife.com)
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