GUILTY! More Workers at Canadian Factory Farm Convicted of Animal Cruelty

Earlier today, Cody Larson and Lloyd Blackwell, two former workers at Chilliwack Cattle Sales—the largest dairy factory farm in Canada—pleaded guilty to a total of three counts of violating the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The Chilliwack Provincial Law Court has sentenced Larson to 20 days in jail and a fine of $4,000. His jail time starts this Friday. Larson is also prohibited from having large animals in his custody or care for a year. Blackwell was sentenced to pay a fine of $7,000 and he is prohibited from having large animals in his custody or care for three years. Both offenders have two years to pay their fines.

Today’s convictions and sentences follow an MFA undercover investigation at Chilliwack Cattle Sales, the largest dairy factory farm in Canada. Video footage shows Larson viciously beating cows with canes, kicking cows, throwing objects at a bull’s testicles, and throwing feces in the face of a cow who was unable to stand. Footage shows Blackwell aiding in lifting a cow by a chain around her neck.

Watch the footage that led to these convictions here:


Larson’s and Blackwell’s convictions are two more in a string of convictions stemming from this groundbreaking investigation. On May 18, 2017, the Honorable Justice Gary Cohen sentenced three former Chilliwack Cattle Sales workers to a total of 127 days in jail and prohibited them from having custody or control of any animal for up to three years. These landmark sentences marked the first time in Canadian history that former factory farm workers were sentenced to jail for malicious animal abuse exposed through an undercover investigation by an animal protection organization. Last December, in another historic victory for animals, Chilliwack Cattle Sales and its owner Wesley Kooyman were convicted of animal cruelty and ordered to pay fines totaling almost $350,000. Two more workers’ cases are still outstanding.

The cruelty exposed through MFA’s Chilliwack Cattle Sales investigation prompted British Columbia agricultural minister Norm Letnick to amend the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice. MFA is now calling on all provinces to incorporate the Dairy Code of Practice into their provincial animal cruelty legislation. Giving the Dairy Code of Practice the force of law will require the dairy industry to follow basic minimum standards for animal welfare.

You can act today to protect cows and other farmed animals from needless suffering and violence by choosing a healthy and humane vegan diet. Visit ChooseVeg.com for ideas on how to go dairy-free!