Secret filming shows worker at UK farm abusing calves and cows

Shocking covert footage of an aggressive British dairy farm worker brutally punching calves and kicking cows in the face has emerged.

The worker at Pyrland Farm in Taunton, Somerset is filmed kicking young calves to make them stand up, twisting cows' tails and repeatedly slamming metal gates into them.

He was also captured pinning calves to the floor and shouting obscenities in their face, repeatedly kicking and slapping nursing cows and violently throwing small calves down, The Sun reported today.

The footage of the abuse was gathered by animal rights group Animal Equality which had installed a camera at the farm on December 7 following a tip-off from a local resident.
 

During one visit, investigators found two dead calves lying on the concrete floor just outside of the cowshed, in full view of several nursing and pregnant cows.

Both calves were male and had reportedly been shot.

Dr Toni Shephard, Animal Equality's UK Director, demanded those responsible were brought to justice.

She said: "The miracle of motherhood is routinely exploited by the dairy industry, causing enormous suffering to cows and calves.

"But to discover farm workers beating new mother cows and tiny calves takes this systematic abuse to an unprecedented level.

"We demand these violent workers be brought to justice and urge consumers to choose plant-based milks, cheeses and yogurts which are healthier than dairy products and cruelty- free."

The farm - which has 250 cows - is run by James Reid who said he was "physically sick" and was "very upset" after seeing the video.

"We were really appalled by the behaviour of the young apprentice. He's since been dismissed.

"The rest of the staff here on the farm are really upset. e take great pride in our dairy herd," the BBC quoted Reid as saying.

An spokeswoman of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said: "We are concerned about the content of the footage sent to us and are currently investigating.