McDonald's supplier contract ended due to animal cruelty

Even if an animal is raised for commercial consumption it still needs respect as what the birds in the farm that supply chicken meat to McDonald's need.

Tyson Foods recently put an end to a contract with a chicken supplier after being accused of animal cruelty by animal rights group with proofs of the abuse via video where workers club the poor birds with their spiked sticks and stuff them into overcrowded conditions.

Tyson Food used the chickens from the plant to supply McDonald's to make chicken nuggets.  The investigation and footage signaled both companies to react.

A Tyson Spokesperson said in an email that, "Members of our animal well-being team are investigating, however, what we currently know, we are terminating the farmer's contract to grow chickens for us,"

An investigator for Mercy for Animals applied as a worker at T&S Farm in Dukedom, Tennessee, where he worked from July to August of this year.  He was able to record images of T&S workers beating the birds with spiked sticks, standing on the birds and mutilating them.

The video Mercy for Animals had shown was deformed chickens with broken legs and tumors.  These birds were then shipped in crates and packed like sardines they could not move.

Dr. Christine Daugherty said, "What we've seen on the video is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it."  She is the one who oversees animal well-being for Tyson Foods.

During a conference call with the reporters, the top investigator of Mercy for Animals said it cited the McDonald's connection prominently in its news release because the restaurant chain has huge purchasing power and is able to demand higher standards from its suppliers.

McDonald's also condemned how the birds are being treated.

They said in an email statement that, "We support Tyson Foods' decision to terminate their contract with this farmer.  We believe treating animals with care and respect is an integral part of a responsible supply chain and find the behavior depicted in this video to be completely unacceptable."

Mercy for Animals is dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies.