Elite Farm Services Ltd., a chicken-catching service, is once again at the centre of a BC SPCA animal cruelty investigation, one year after it was probed in an abuse and torture case.
The SPCA is also looking into allegations against Jaedel Enterprises, a Fraser Valley chicken farm.
New video has surfaced that shows chickens being left behind without food or water after the rest of the coop was cleared out, said Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer with the BC SPCA.
WATCH: The BC SPCA is once again looking into animal cruelty charges in the Fraser Valley. Last year, it conducted a separate investigation into a group of Chilliwack poultry farms. **A warning that the video is graphic and not suitable for all viewers.** — video from June 12, 2017
“This recent video demonstrates that chickens were left behind and as a result they appear to be in a great deal of distress,” Moriarty said in an interview with Global News.
“It’s very frustrating and disheartening frankly,” she added.
It’s not clear at this point who may be at fault: the company providing the chicken-catching service, or the chicken farm.
“We’re very disappointed to be honest, to be investigating another situation where chickens have suffered,” she said.
It’s unclear if this was blatant disregard for standards or failure to adhere to standards of care, Moriarty said.
The BC SPCA is waiting to hear whether Crown will approve charges of animal cruelty recommended against Elite Farm Services last year.
“That’s frustrating because a few years ago… there was an incident involving dairy cows in B.C. and the response was dramatically different, the industry absolutely mobilized and supported the implementation and inclusion of the codes of practice for dairy cows into legislation,” Moriarty said.
“We were hoping that we would see the same type of response from the chicken industry and we didn’t… and I think that speaks, along with this incident, it’s troubling,” she added.
Elite Farms has not yet responded to requests for comment.
In a statement, BC Egg Marketing Board executive director Katie Lowe said, “our industry has a zero tolerance policy for any mistreatment of animals.
“We take any and all complaints or suggestions of wrongdoing extremely seriously. That is why, upon learning of this video, an investigation was immediately launched.”
The statement said its investigation included an “on site Animal Care Program audit” that was completed by an inspector with Egg Farmers of Canada, as well as an independent third party auditor.
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The investigative team also included “senior staff, peers and veterinarians.”
“The B.C. egg industry has exceptionally high standards as well as strict policies and procedures that must be followed. If the investigation concludes that there has been any wrongdoing, immediate corrective action will be taken, up to and including revoking the licence of those found in non-compliance.”