Target: Hayden Hunter, Director of Investigations at Last Chance for Animals
Goal: Congratulate investigator for pursuing horrific cases of alleged animal cruelty.
Praise goes out to Hayden Hunter at LA-based animal rights group Last Chance for Animals (LCA) for releasing scathing footage of a mink farm near Guelph, Ontario. Beginning in February, 2017, an undisclosed LCA associate began a yearlong undercover investigation into Mill Fur Farm only to reveal allegedly severe animal maltreatment. Since then, the documentation has convinced the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) to file 14 accusations of animal cruelty against the company. Caught on camera were minks with unattended lesions all over their bodies. The animals reportedly lived in ¨fifthly¨ conditions and were denied medical attention.
With over 50 million animals slaughtered every year for their pelts, the victims of this multi-billion dollar industry mustn’t be forgotten. Data shows that the international fur industry is worth as much as the global Wi-Fi market at $40 billion. While it won’t be disappearing overnight, what can be more easily accomplished is the persecution of farmers unwilling to provide adequate accommodations to animals. In light of previous ForceChange petitions against fur products, sign the petition to congratulate LCA for prompting legal action while also motivating the organization to continue its campaigns against immoral fur producers.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Hunter,
Your organization recently played a pivotal role in motivating the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to prosecute Millbank Fur Farm for alleged animal abuse. Thanks to one of your coworker’s clandestine investigations, justice will be potentially served to the injured minks at this Canadian facility. Considering that the farm owners facing 14 convictions are due in court on July 18, it’s expected that the footage will play a huge part in verifying the negligence at play. Although Nancy Daigneault, vice-president of the International Fur Federation, says that fur farmers provide ¨excellent care¨ to their animals, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
From a moral standpoint, the fur trade is one nasty business since some animals are allegedly skinned alive or even electrocuted in countries with less regulations – all for the sake of keeping costs low. Ted Parkinson, who runs the family-farm in Ontario, must be held accountable for his poor treatment of animals. No matter which way you look at it, the only incentive to deprive the minks of medical attention falls under the urge to save money on overhead costs. Debilitated animals deserve veterinary services, whether domestic or livestock. Let’s hope the owners of Millbank Fur Farm cooperate with animal welfare authorities to change their business model and learn how to properly care for minks.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Petter Trimming
