|
As you know, SCIL often writes about the inadequate funding, enforcement, and public attention devoted to companion animal abuse cases. We are horrified when dogs, cats, and other companion animals suffer from neglect or cruelty, and we work tirelessly to strengthen laws that protect them.
We are equally disturbed by what occurs on factory farms, which is one of the reasons SCIL has long advocated for plant-based diets and policies that reduce our reliance on industrial animal agriculture.
Recent investigations by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) have exposed troubling conditions at California calf-raising facilities that supply the dairy and beef industries. Drone footage documented calves confined in small crates with little room to exercise, as well as incidents of workers kicking, dragging, hitting, and otherwise mishandling young animals. In one documented case, sick calves were unloaded from trucks and shot one by one after being separated from the herd.
What makes these findings particularly concerning is that California voters have repeatedly supported stronger farm animal protections through initiatives such as Proposition 2 and Proposition 12, which makes the intensive confinement crates that these calves are raised in illegal in the production of veal. We are fighting to protect these laws in Congress, as you can see from our “call to action” against the “Save Our Bacon Act.”
Yet, in California we have allowed intensive calf confinement practices to continue in the dairy industry, despite California Penal Code 597t explicitly prohibiting confinement of an animal without adequate space to exercise.
According to DxE, footage documenting the treatment of calves has already been provided to law enforcement, yet no action has been taken. California's animal cruelty laws should be enforced consistently, regardless of whether the victims are companion animals or farmed animals.
If you are disturbed by these findings, please take a moment to email California Attorney General Rob Bonta and urge his office to investigate allegations of animal cruelty at California calf-raising facilities. piu@doj.ca.gov
We encourage you to write your own message about why enforcing animal cruelty laws on calf raising farms is important, or simply state, “I’m writing to respectfully request that your office investigate allegations of animal cruelty at California calf-raising facilities.”
| 
