May 8, 2008

Undercover video knocks Gemperle Enterprises
 

An animal protection organisation in the US has released a video that shows chickens being mistreated at Gemperle Enterprises.

The video, which shows chickens being mistreated by handlers and poultry left with untreated wounds in crowded cages, was shot by an undercover investigator with the Mercy for Animals group.

The group said the video was shot at Gemperle Enterprises, which supplies giant NuCal Foods Inc., the biggest egg supplier in western US.

However, company owner Steve Gemperle said the animal group was using suspect video footage to make accusations of his operation.

"What I saw on that video is not what our company does. We do not accept any abuse of farm animals. It's against our values and morals", Gemperle said.

Meanwhile, Mercy for Animals is asking Merced and Stanislaus counties to launch a criminal investigation on Gemperle Enterprises.

Although federal law does not regulate treatment of layers, state animal-cruelty regulations prohibit the mistreatment of the birds, according to Nathan Runkle, executive director of Mercy for Animals.