A BC SPCA investigation has resulted in animal cruelty charges for a Chilliwack dairy farm.

Photo Credit: BC SPCA.Crown counsel has laid a total of 20 counts of animal cruelty against Chilliwack Cattle Sales LTD. Company and seven of its employees.

Most of the charges are to do with cruelty against their dairy cows, while four of the counts are under the Wildlife Act and concern the treatment of a pigeon.

“On June 2, 2014 the BC SPCA received an undercover video that showed employees at Chilliwack Cattle Sales using chains, canes, rakes, their booted feet and their fists to viciously whip, punch, kick and beat the dairy cows, including downed and trapped cows who could not escape the abuse,” said Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer, in a statement.

“We immediately launched an investigation into the case and recommended charges against the employees identified in the video and the company.”

Company employees Travis Keefer, Jonathan Talbot, Jamie Visser, Chris Vandyke, Cody Larson, and Brad Genereux are each charged with causing distress and failing to care and protect an animal from distress.

Vandyke, Keefer, and Visser also face an additional two charges for lifting with a chain, kicking, and hitting a cow, causing it to be in distress. The seventh employee, Lloyd Blackwell, faces charges in association with this incident.

“We are extremely pleased that in addition to laying charges against the individual employees, Crown has also held the company and its directors accountable for this unacceptable treatment of the animals,” added Moriarty.

John Kooyman, Kenneth Kooyman, Wesley Kooyman, Jeffery Kooyman, and Bradley Kooyman have each been charged for allowing animals to be so mistreated, as it was their responsibly to make sure they were properly taken care of.  

According to Moriarty, this is the first time a B.C. company has been held accountable for acts of animal cruelty on a farm.

Maximum sentences for each count is a fine of up to $75,000, up to two years in jail, lifetime ban on owning animals.

Employees charged under the Wildlife Act could face a fine of up to $100,000 or up to a year in prison.

Moriarty said the BC SPCA investigation and the public outcry over the disturbing images of abuse have led to positive changes for B.C. dairy cattle.

On July 8, 2015, the B.C. government announced new regulations to better protect dairy cows with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.

“It is important that producers have clear expectations around standards of care for farm animals and that there is a system in place to monitor and enforce these standards,” said Moriarty.

She said the public really cares about how animals are treated, including farm animals.

“The images in this case were distressing and clearly unacceptable,” said Moriarty. “British Columbians are increasingly concerned about the treatment of farm animals and we look forward to continuing to work with government and industry on solutions to prevent further neglect and abuse among the 100 million farm animals raised in B.C. each year.”