A Genoa, New York farm will not be charged with animal cruelty, local law enforcement officials said earlier this week. Willet Dairy, the farm in question, was accused by a Chicago based animal rights group of mistreating its livestock after the release of undercover videos made on the farm.

The group, Mercy for Animals, claimed that they saw several cows die due to lack of medical care. In addition, they claimed that they saw calves separated from their mothers, cows physically abused, and complained about officials removing calves’ horns and docking their tails. Livestock dehorning and tail docking is a fairly common agricultural practice done to prevent illness and injury and officials at Willet Farm stated that New York law allowed for both practices.

Willet Farm spokespersons claimed that the farm is glad that they do not have to face unnecessary animal cruelty charges. They have formalized tail docking and dehorning procedures in an effort to humanize the procedures as much as possible. These procedures have long been unofficially in place unofficially, spokespersons stated. Willet Farm also reiterated that animal abuse would be counterproductive to the farms overall goals.

The charges leveled against Willet Farm are certain to play into the recent debate about undercover videos made at farms. Recent legislation in Iowa and Florida is racing through both state legislatures and seems likely to pass. While Willet Farm avoided criminal charges, the accusations seem likely to spark increased debate in New York and other states regarding undercover animal rights groups.

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer