Target: Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive, RSPCA, Horsham, United Kingdom
Goal: Prosecute those allegedly behind 35 welfare breaches at a dairy farm, including 25 cases of severe untreated lameness.
Thirty-five. That is how many welfare breaches independent veterinary specialists reportedly recorded at Oak Lodge Farm in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire. Twenty-five of them involved severe lameness that allegedly went untreated. The findings form part of the Animal Justice Project’s whistleblowing campaign.
Instead of receiving veterinary diagnostics, lame cows were reportedly filmed being rushed and roughly handled by farm workers. The workers allegedly tried to force the suffering animals to stand up. Corporate parent groups are running internal compliance audits of the herd. The case remains legally open. Animal rights lawyers are pushing for prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act. They cite a pattern of putting production speed ahead of basic animal health.
Numbers can hide suffering, but every number here is a living cow. Lameness is painful, and untreated lameness only prolongs the pain. Internal audits cannot replace independent enforcement. The RSPCA has the expertise to investigate and the power to bring prosecutions. Sign this petition to demand charges.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear CEO Sherwood,
We are writing about Oak Lodge Farm in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire. Independent veterinary specialists recorded 35 separate welfare breaches there. Twenty-five involved severe lameness that allegedly went untreated.
Footage reportedly shows lame cows being rushed and roughly handled. Workers allegedly tried to force the suffering animals to stand. Animals in this condition needed veterinary diagnostics. They allegedly received none. Corporate parent groups are now auditing their own herd, which cannot be enough.
We urge the RSPCA to examine the evidence thoroughly. If it supports charges, please pursue prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act. Please ensure the investigation looks at the whole pattern, not only the individuals on screen. Animal rights lawyers have made the legal case. The public is now looking to you. Cows cannot speak for themselves, so we are speaking for them. Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Ian Paterson
