A Wisconsin farm is under fire following the release of an undercover video showing the physical abuse of cows.
The video was recorded by an undercover investigator with an animal rights organization called Mercy for Animals, and shows what appears to be abuse by workers at the Wiese Brothers Farm in Greenleaf, Wis.
"During the course of this investigation, we documented workers violently whipping and beating cows in the face and body," said the organization's lawyer, Vandhana Bala, said. "Sick and injured cows with open wounds were left to suffer without proper veterinary care."
At least one company that uses product from the farm has reacted. Nestle, which uses cheese made with milk from the farm for making products such as DiGiorno Pizza, released a statement saying the company is “outraged and deeply saddened by the mistreatment of animals shown in this video.”
“We do expect all of our suppliers and their suppliers to meet our stringent guidelines. We have advised Foremost Farms that we will not accept any cheese made with milk from the Wiese Brothers Farm. -- Nestle Statement
Weise Brothers Farm officials also released a statement saying there were "shocked and saddened" by the behavior in the video.
"We have zero tolerance for animal abuse. We are committed to providing optimal care and ask all our employees to demonstrate ongoing respect for every animal at all times." -- Weise Brothers Farm Statement
Two of the employees shown in the video have been fired, and the Brown County, Wis. sheriff says he has opened a criminal investigation.
Farm officials say they are cooperating with the investigation.
