Activists liberate 25 Battery Hens from convicted animal abuser

Late last night (12/01/07) the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) broke into a battery farm in South Auckland and liberated 25 battery hens from a life of cruelty and suffering.

The ALF documented the conditions of the farm located at 4 Logan Road in Buckland, South Auckland. Video footage and photographs were taken, showing the horrendous lives that battery hens lead inside the sheds.

Somerdale Poultry Lodge is owned by Mr Van Den Bogaart who has previous conditions for animal cruelty. In 1996 Van Den Bogaart was convicted of neglecting sheep in his care; the Court found that he had without reasonable cause, neglected several sheep so that they suffered unnecessary pain, suffering and distress. It is noted in Court papers that throughout the duration of his trial, at no time did Van Den Bogaart express any concern that his sheep had suffered.

Spokesperson for AAA Rochelle Rees says "I agree with the Judges comments in the court verdict where he describes Mr Van Den Bogaart as self-serving, dogmatic and callous in expressing no concern that his sheep had suffered. This is also reflected in the conditions on his battery farm."

In the communique received by Auckland Animal Action (AAA) from the ALF, the activists referred to a similar action which occurred at the Logan Road farm in 2004. "We had been informed by a worker in 2004 that this farm was going to close down and were shocked to find that two years later the farm, in an even worse condition, was still operating". (A full copy of the communique received by AAA and the press release issued by AAA in 2004 can be seen below).

Documents taken from the farm in 2004 revealed that on average, six hens were dying daily per shed. Similar documents taken last night reveal that it is not uncommon for up to 22 hens to die in one single day. Activists found several dead hens littering the floor of the sheds.

Ms Rees says, "The footage and photos we received clearly show that the conditions at Somerdale have deteriorated since 2004, most notably the piles of dead hens left to rot and decompose in the sheds."

"We are extremely pleased about this liberation as 25 hens will now lead happy, healthy lives outdoors in natural conditions. They will be able to walk, enjoy the sun and socialize with each other instead of being cramped together in tiny cages in a dark shed."

"We especially applaud and encourage such courageous actions as this one, as the government have proven they are incapable of acting to end the suffering. By failing to abolish battery farming, the government has recklessly neglected these animals and condemned them to a lifetime of distress and suffering"

For further information (including video footage, higher resolution images or documents taken from the farm), contact AAA spokesperson Rochelle Rees on 021 175 1399

** Please find attached the following supporting documents.

1. Court papers relating to Van Den Bogaarts animal neglect convictions
2. A press release issued by AAA regarding a similar action in 2004
3. A copy of the communique sent anonymously to AAA from the ALF

Document 2: A press release issued by AAA regarding a similar action in 2004
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Auckland Animal Action (AAA) have been informed that early yesterday morning, animal rights activists liberated 21 hens from Somerdale Poultry Lodge, a battery egg farm located at 4 Logan Road, Buckland, south of Auckland.

Activists took video footage and photographs of the farm, detailing the horrendous conditions that 2.8 million hens are forced to endure in New Zealand every year.

Documents taken from a shed on the farm, show that this is a Golden Harvest Poultry farm, owned by Gerade Van Den Bogart, who has previous convictions for animal cruelty.

The documents, covering the period of 2003 to 2004, show that approximately six hens died every day in the shed, which holds around one thousand birds. AAA spokesperson Rochelle Rees says that this is not surprising given the cramped and unnatural conditions.

After viewing the footage, Ms Rees says, “As far as battery farming goes, this farm was nothing out of the ordinary. There were 3-4 hens per cage, with no room for them to move around or stretch their wings.

“They were in plastic battery cages where their feet hung through the gaps. Consequently their claws had grown excessively long to enable them to grip the cage bottom. It is obvious that this caused them extreme discomfort.

“We are pleased that 21 hens have been removed from the farm and placed in homes where they will live their lives free from suffering. Unlike the thousands left behind, these hens will be able to do normal things like walk and stretch their wings.

“They will get to see the sun and perform natural behaviours such as pecking, scratching in the ground, making nests, foraging for food and even having dust baths.”

A ministerial advisory report and draft code of welfare for layer hens, shows that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), recommends the minimum living space allowable for each hen be increased from 450 to 550 square centimeters by 2014.

Ms Rees says, “Although an increase of more than 20% may sound good, in practice it means nothing. Hens will still be forced to live in cages, each individual with less space than an A4 sheet of paper.”

Government appointed NAWAC asks that any decision on the future of battery farming be delayed until 2009. They claim that this is in order to allow for “further research”.

Ms Rees says she cannot understand how anyone could suggest more research is needed into this issue. “The cruel reality of battery farming can clearly be seen in the evidence gathered last night.

“We hope the Minister of Agriculture; the Hon. Jim Sutton will not sign the code as it stands. If he does, he will be condemning millions more hens to a life of suffering.”

Photographs are attached, and video footage is available on request.

For further information, contact AAA spokesperson Rochelle Rees on 021 053 4650
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Document 3: A copy of the communique sent anonymously to AAA from the ALF
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Tonight we broke into the Somerdale Polutry Lodge with the aim of liberating hens from this hell hole. While inside we also documented the disgusting and inhumane conditions which these birds are made to endure. We were sickened and overwhelmed by the smell that came from within the shed. Once inside we found that this smell was coming from dead birds piled around the shed and the piles of excrement from the thousands of birds caged inside the shed.

Inside the shed we found over 4 chickens in each cage in a near pitch black environment. The feet of these birds were growing through the bottom of the cages causing untold misery during the short lives of these birds. Grown solely for profit these birds will have no opportunity to experience a natural life and will know only these filthy cages. The wings of many of the birds in the shed were severely damaged with open wounds and damaged wings. While we were there we saw and heard many rats which were most likely responsible for the birds' injuries.

The records displayed on the wall indicated that dozens of animals a day are dying due to the appalling treatment of the birds inside this factory farm. This rigorously documented animal cruelty shows the government and public disregard for the lives of these birds.

We had been informed by a worker in 2004 that this farm was going to close down and were shocked to find that two years later the farm, in an even worse condition, was still operating.

While animals are kept in conditions like these for the production of eggs we will continue to liberate animals and expose the sickening cruelty behind your meal.
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Related

http://www.aucklandanimalaction.org.nz