Undercover Video Footage Leads to Tail Docking Ban

Following Tuesday’s release of an undercover video shot by animal-welfare group Mercy For Animals revealing workers at Bettencourt Dairies’ Dry Creek Dairy in Hansen, ID—a dairy supplier to Burger King—violently abusing animals, some of the farm’s buyers are taking groundbreaking action. In a statement, Wendy’s announced that it will sever all ties with the dairy supplier, while Kraft Foods Inc. is taking action to ban tail docking in its supply chain. Kraft is the first major corporation to implement a mandatory phase-out of the practice—a painful procedure that permanently removes all or part of the tail, leaving cattle vulnerable to maggot infestation, also known as “fly strike.” Three workers at the farm, including one manager, have been charged with criminal cruelty to animals as a result of the video.