Animal Abuse Defendant Caught on Tape Pleads Guilty

Bettencourt Dairies employee Jesus Garza plead guilty to animal cruelty charges after an undercover investigation recorded him kicking and jumping on cows and hitting them with sticks. Garza took the plea bargain before his trial was slated to begin; he may be incarcerated for up to six months, face fines up to $5,000, and be banned from working with animals. Mercy For Animals has pressed Burger King and its cheese supplier Bettencourt to institute a “zero tolerance” policy for animal abuse and to bar electric shocking and mutilation of animals, while providing a cleaner and safer environment for its animals.