An Okeechobee dairy
that supplies Publix is under investigation for abusing its cows.
A criminal investigation has been opened into the mistreatment of cows at an Okeechobee dairy that supplies Publix, after an undercover video released Thursday appeared to show workers beating cows with metal rods and engaging in other abuse.
Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen said he assigned an investigator to the case after his office received materials showing apparent acts of animal cruelty by workers at Larson Dairy Farm.
“I believe there will be criminal charges forthcoming on the completion of this investigation,” he said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
Publix announced it was suspending milk deliveries from Larson, saying in a written statement that the company was “shocked” by the treatment of the cows.
The video came from an investigator with the animal rights group Animal Recovery Mission, which has previously disclosed cruelty at illegal slaughterhouse operations in South Florida, who got a job with Larson in August, according to the group.
The video appeared to show a worker beating a cow on the head with a steel rod, as the cow, stuck in a narrow metal milking pen, moves its head wildly to avoid the blows. It shows workers kicking, beating and stabbing cows to force them into the cramped pens. It shows female calves penned in narrow outdoor cages, one with deformed legs unable to stand up.
“Dairy supervisors and milkers beat, stab and torment dairy cows with steel construction rebar,” the narrator says. “The sharp metal rods pierce and penetrate the cows’ bodies. Kept hidden from tours and visitors to the dairy, the cows are brutalized.”
Jacob Larson, owner of Larson Dairy, issued a written statement Thursday saying an employee shown hitting cows had been fired.
“We are deeply saddened and appalled by the actions witnessed in this video, which first came to our attention this morning,” he said. “The unusual use of force is simply unacceptable on our dairy or on any other farm.
“We have strict protocols involving animal care and clearly the behavior shown in this video goes against everything we stand for and will not be tolerated. The employee involved and featured in the video has been terminated. Further corrective action will be taken if necessary as we continue to analyze the video and conduct an on-farm