Posted June 29, 2009 by Rachelle Owen
We’re starting this week off with another historic victory for animals! Check out this blog from PETA’s Karin Bennet!
Late last year, some factory-farm employees were fired from Aviagen Turkeys, Inc. in response to PETA’s undercover investigation, which documented that workers were breaking turkeys’ necks, stomping on their heads, and shoving feces and feed into turkeys’ mouths.
Then, in February, a grand jury handed down 19 indictments, including 11 felony charges, against three former Aviagen workers, marking the first time in U.S. history that factory-farm employees have faced felony cruelty-to-animals charges for abusing birds.
Fast forward: Two of the three ex-employees, Scott Alvin White and Edward Eric Gwinn, recently pleaded guilty to cruelty charges. On June 8, White was sentenced to serve one year in jail—the maximum period permitted by law! Today, Gwinn was sentenced to serve six months’ home confinement—the maximum period permitted by law—on each count, concurrently, and is banned from living with, owning, and working with animals for five years. The case against the third ex-employee, Walter Lee Hambrick, is pending.
These historic victories by no means even the score for the turkeys who were punched and thrown or the many other birds who suffered when they were forced to watch as other turkeys were abused at Aviagen. After watching our undercover video, animal behavior expert Dr. Lesley J. Rogers stated, “It is now known that when social animals, like turkeys, see and hear other members of their species under stress or suffering physical injury, their levels of stress become elevated. Hence, the behavioural stress is widespread in the birds in the vicinity of those that have been injured and/or handled roughly.”
Still, these convictions will remind workers on other factory farms that if they don’t clean up their acts, PETA investigators (and the whistleblowers who tip us off) will have their eyes on them.
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
I want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Stay loud!
1410 days ago
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YYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! They get what they deserve.
1410 days ago
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YYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! They get what they deserve.
1413 days ago
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i just watched that hidden camera video! … i … am crying so bad. that is sooooo terrible i am happy that those … those… there is no word for these people… that they are punished!
1414 days ago
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thank goodness! i’m so glad that the company fired the employees right away and didn’t stand up for them at all!
1415 days ago
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i couldn’t watch the whole video. it’s ridiculous.
1415 days ago
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WOOT!! WOOT!!
Thank you Lord 
1417 days ago
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That’s amazing.
Too bad they didn’t get more time in jail.
1418 days ago
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yessssssss!
1419 days ago
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Though this Thanksgiving I will be enjoying a Turkey, that doesn’t mean they should be beaten and killed in cruel and unusual ways. Hopefully these guys have learned their lesson, but in the end this is hardly the worst case of animal cruelty, and its hardly the last. Personal note: If I got locked up for killing a turkey, I think I would have learned my lesson, no matter the time. Punishment is a step but education is far more important and far more effective.
1421 days ago
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How can they stand to do that? I can’t even finish watching the video! I’m so glad they were punished! And I’m also glad I watched the videa because I don’t think I’ll be eating turkey this Thanksgiving…. I’m still working on going veg
1423 days ago
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Way to go Peta, a fine victory, lets hope tey are locked up with some real bad crims
We need this bringing to the UK
1424 days ago
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I totally agree, I honestly could not get through the whole video. those people deserve a punishment
1424 days ago
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Oh yea! [:
1424 days ago
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6 months isn’t much of a strong punishment for abusing animals and taking their lives.
1424 days ago
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I can not even watch the entire video.. makes me sick!
1424 days ago
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YAY! I think thats not a good enough punishment tho =] Shove feces into their mouths =]
1424 days ago
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yayyyy!!!!
1424 days ago
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Its So About Time! I Wish More Could Have Been Done, But They Get What They Deserve! Hey Peta
1425 days ago
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Way to go PETA!!! AND!! Big pat on the back for all of US supporters!! This is proof that CHANGE CAN HAPPEN!! Never stop speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves!!
1425 days ago
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:/ They should have gotten more time…
At least its a step to end animal cruelty.
1425 days ago
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awesome x 125656946841!
1425 days ago
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this is great.. they now get what was coming for them..
1425 days ago
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This is great news
1425 days ago
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hell yeah. but those people need more time
1425 days ago
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It still doesn’t make up for the fact of what he did to those poor little birdies (ok, big birdies) but it is a step closer to stopping factory farms.
1425 days ago
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Serves them right! They got what they deserved. Still, I think they deserve worse.
1425 days ago
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bout damn time
1426 days ago
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SCORE!!!