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Jolley: Five minutes with Nathan Runkle Executive Director of Mercy for Animals
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Make no mistake, Mercy for Animals is a vegetarian-driven organization. Unlike a few other similar groups, they’re upfront and honest about it. Go to their web site and what you’ll see prominently displayed is Free Vegetarian Starter Kit with Vegetarian Recipes. No surprises then, about why they do what they do.
Deeper into their web site are a series of undercover videos depicting what MFA calls animal abuse; an even dozen dating back to 2002. A few of the agricultural businesses on their hit list was Buckeye Veal, Conklin Dairy Farms and House of Raeford.
Chicago-based Mercy for Animals went undercover again and spent two weeks in March collecting extremely disturbing videos of horrendous animal abuse. Here is a link to the released footage. A serious caution before you click on that link, however. It is about as gruesome as I ever want to watch. It took me several tries to get past the first few seconds. Unless you have a cast iron stomach, just read about the video:
- Calves confined to hutches that look as though they haven’t been cleaned in months.
- Calves, still alive and conscious, thrown onto piles.
- E6 employees bludgeoning downed calves' skulls with pickaxes and hammers.
- E6 employees kicking downed calves in the head, and standing on their necks and ribs.
- Gruesome injuries and afflictions, open sores, swollen joints and severed hooves.
- Ill, injured and dying calves denied medical care.
- The budding horns of calves burned out of their skulls without painkillers.
Dr. Temple Grandin viewed the video and gave this statement to MFA: "It is obvious that both the management and the employees have no regard for animal welfare."
Dr. Bernard Rollin also condemned the practices he saw at E6, saying: "I urge everyone in a position of authority to serve notice to the world that this sort of behavior has no place in a society wishing to consider itself civilized. These people must be corrected with the full force of the legal system."
Good dairy people all over North America were quick to condemn the actions at E6, stating repeatedly that the video did not depict the extraordinary care they gave their animals. Still, for many of the non-agricultural people who saw it, it was accepted as another example of the ‘evils of Big Ag.’
The video made a large media splash and Runkle has been bombarded by people asking for interviews. One of the first to get him on tape was Trent Loos who talked with him about the video. He also talked with Kirt Espenson, the owner of E6. Runkle and Espenson told very different stories about the video with Espenson taking full responsibility for the abuse.
Here are Five minutes with Nathan Runkle.
Q. Before we launch into the heart of this interview, let’s talk about Mercy for Animals – a little background, please, for those who aren’t familiar with MFA. What is your mission, your goals and how do you finance your work?
A. Mercy for Animals is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies.
The organization was founded in Ohio in 1999 and is funded almost entirely by contributions from our broad base of individual supporters. You can learn more about the organization at www.mercyforanimals.org.
(Editor’s note: I went to their web site and couldn’t find a list of contributors but I found this description of their mission and goals:
Mercy for Animals is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies.
MFA believes
non-human animals are irreplaceable individuals with morally significant interests and hence rights. This includes the right to live free from unnecessary suffering and exploitation.
MFA is dedicated
to establishing and defending the rights of all animals. Over 99% of cruelty to animals in the United States occurs at the hands of the meat, dairy, and egg industries - which confine, mutilate, and slaughter over 9 billion animals each year. As such, MFA primarily focuses on farmed animal advocacy and promoting cruelty-free food choices.
MFA works
to be a voice for animals through proactive consumer education and advertising campaigns, research and undercover investigations, rescues, working with news media, and grassroots activism.
(I’ll differ with their belief that ‘non-human animals are irreplaceable individuals with morally significant interests’ and its inevitable next step to animal rights. It is impossible to not agree with them about the abuse seen on the videotape. )
Q. In an interview about E6, you said you found animal abuse every time one of your people went undercover, yet you release just a few videos a year. How many investigations does MFA do annually and what kinds of abuse are you finding?
A. It’s true that without exception, each time a Mercy for Animals investigator enters a factory farm, hatchery, or slaughterhouse they uncover appalling abuses. E6 is the 15th facility MFA has investigated since our inception.
The abuses uncovered vary from facility to facility. Some of the mistreatment we find most objectionable are practices considered standard and legal within the industry – such as crowding egg-laying hens in cages where they cannot fully spread their wings, walk freely, build nests, or engage in other important natural behaviors, chaining calves in narrow veal crates too small for them to turn around, and confining sows in stalls barely larger than their bodies for almost the entire duration of their pregnancies.
We believe that animals built to move should be given the basic freedom to walk, run and exhibit behaviors unique to their species. We believe these intensive confinement practices cause prolonged stress, frustration, and discomfort for the animals.
We also document animals being castrated, disbudded, and tail docked without any painkillers. We, along with the majority of the public and a growing number of animal welfare experts, find these practices cruel and unacceptable. Cutting corners and costs is no excuse for causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
Our investigations have also documented malicious and sadistic abuse, including workers throwing animals, stabbing them with pitchforks, breaking their tails, bashing crowbars over their heads, dragging them by their ears, skinning them alive, punching them, sexually assaulting them, throwing live animals away in trashcans – the list goes on and on.
While I believe there are a small number of workers who get pleasure from abusing animals, I think the majority of cruelty at the hands of employees comes from learned apathy, being undertrained, and being pressured to move large numbers of animals in a short period of time. Most of these issues initiate from the top down – with the employees left to do the difficult, if not impossible, work of humanely moving animals under such pressure and conditions.
Given the sweeping nature of such abuse, it’s no wonder some in animal agriculture are trying to ban undercover videos. It’s shameful – producers should be working to end these abusive practices, not keep them secret.
Unfortunately, agribusiness has shown time and time again that it cannot be trusted to self-regulate. Clearly we need stronger laws and oversight, on a state and federal level, to address and end cruelty to farmed animals.
Q. Kirt Espenson, the owner of E6, has said repeatedly that he was unaware of the abuse and he is taking immediate steps to make sure it never happens again. From what your undercover agent told you as well as what the video shows, is it possible that he was in the dark?
A. It’s simply untrue. We’ve updated our E6 investigation video – available at www.mercyforanimals.org/calves -- to include footage of Espenson approving the use of the hammer to kill calves. Now that he’s been caught, Espenson is trying to backpedal. The reality is, as the company owner, it’s Espenson’s responsibility to not only know exactly what is going on at his facility, but to take immediate corrective actions when needed.
Q. I’ve often said agricultural hiring practices are lax, which explains why under-qualified and untrained personnel as well as your agent were hired. How difficult was it for your man to be hired and what kind of training was he given?
A. Our investigator simply applied at E6 and was quickly hired. The company failed to offer any animal welfare training, policies, or oversight – creating a culture of cruelty and neglect.
Q. Your agent participated in the abuse, something you’ve already admitted. In a drive-by shooting, the wheelman is considered just as guilty as the man who pulled the trigger. To be honest, I’m having trouble absolving him of the same crime attributed to Espenson and his employees. Would you discuss the philosophical justification of his actions?
A. It’s a gross mischaracterization to say our (man) participated in “abuse.” That’s not something we’ve ever stated. The investigator always acted with the best interest of the animals at heart, and with the absolute and firm intention of preventing unnecessary and prolonged pain and suffering. His actions were based on necessity, and were in furtherance of the ultimate goal of ending the longstanding cruel and inhumane practices at E6.
The longstanding abuse at E6 was systemic and the direct result of poor management, which failed to provide even basic animal welfare policies, training, or oversight. Company negligence and apathy forced untrained and unequipped workers at the time to make the difficult choice between neglecting animals to slowly and painfully suffer to death, and killing them with the only means provided by the company – hammers.
Kirt Espenson has admitted “full responsibility” for the cruelty documented at his facility, acknowledging that he failed to train employees. Based on the evidence, and this admission, it is Mr. Espenson who should be held criminally accountable for creating a culture of cruelty and neglect.
Q. Most people in animal agriculture who find the abuse at E6 abhorrent also think it should be reported to the authorities immediately, not several days or weeks later. It’s been the usual practice of the organizations behind these videos to delay reporting, though, sometimes for weeks or even months. During that time span, hundreds or thousands of animals are subjected to abuse. Lead me through the thought process that justifies the delay.
A. We contacted federal law enforcement while our investigator was still in the facility. While documenting the routine mistreatment that occurred at this facility, our investigator also encountered what we believe are numerous federal violations – primarily a workforce largely made up of undocumented workers. Accordingly, we were obligated to go to federal authorities first with this information. Upon receiving the green light from federal authorities, about one week after our investigator left E6, we immediately presented all of our evidence to the Castro County District Attorney’s Office, urging them to uphold Texas anti-cruelty laws. After giving law enforcement ample time to initiate their investigation, so as not to compromise the case, we then moved forward in presenting the investigation to the public.
For the investigation to create long-term change – and prevent the future suffering of countless animals – we needed to document the various types of routine abuses occurring, as well as show that there were no animal welfare policies, training, or oversight. We also needed to show that the lack of regard for animal welfare came from the top down – that the owner was aware of the situation, yet failed to take immediate corrective action. Our hope is that by compiling a solid case, we can end this abuse once and for all – sparing thousands of animals in the future from such cruelty and neglect.
Chuck Jolley is a free lance writer, based in Kansas City, who covers a wide range of ag industry topics for Vance Publishing.
Comments (16)
Leave a commentTom Henderson
Report AbuseMr. Jolley,
Had to stick it in there didn't you: "I’ll differ with their belief that ‘non-human animals are irreplaceable individuals with morally significant interests". With your statement you show us all that you are of the same mind set that leads to all this abuse....PERIOD. When are you and the Ag Industry going to realize that you now don't have to be some "crazy" vegan or radical animal right s activist to condemn the mistreatment of these animals. The ENTIRE country sees what you do in these videos and is sick of all you uncivilized people. LISTEN to what the county is saying!!! I'm sure you won't post this comment anyway because you all have to keep hiding and keep up the act.
Janet Weeks
Report AbuseNote to Editor: I am a monthly contributor to Mercy For Animals. I am just an ordinary citizen, working an ordinary 9 to 5 job as an ordinary editor, who believes all cruelty to and exploitation of animals needs to stop, including the cruelty and exploitation of factory farming and its so-called "standard industry practices." Mercy For Animals gets my monetary support because I am totally aligned with their mission, I believe in their process and methods, and I see that they are very effective in achieving positive results and improvements for animals. Mercy For Animals is resourcefully creative and creative with limited resources. I also appreciate that Mr. Runkle and staff are unfailingly knowledgeable, thoughtful, well spoken, and well mannered. They are thorough and they understand the challenges we face. There is a growing network of ordinary people just like me who also support Mercy For Animals. The vast majority of Americans believe it is wrong to mistreat animals and the more that Mercy For Animals uncovers the awful truth, the more support they receive for their work. People are fed up with being lied to and deceived about how "food" animals get to American tables. We are hungry for the truth and industry transparency. We may not be gigantic corporations with a lot of money, but we are passionate about our goal of ending animal suffering and cruelty once and for all.
Cody
Report AbuseThanks Cattlenetwork for letting the animal advocates speak for themselves and not putting words in their mouths. This interview is very illuminating. However, I think it was disingenuous at the beginning to say that they do these investigations because they promote vegetarianism. That's sort of putting the cart before the horse. I think a more fair characterization is that they promote vegetarianism because it is a way to withdraw support the cruelties they keep discovering. Now that the AVMA has come out in support of MFA's concerns (http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/abuse_of_calves_letter.asp) maybe it's time that the industry get its act together and stop shooting the messenger.
Bea Ⓥ Elliott
Report AbuseEveryone should be sending out healing thoughts to the investigator. What he witnessed will no doubt change his soul forever. That said, the very last thing we should do is compare his acts to a "wheelman" in a drive by shooting! This investigator was not plotting a crime but trying to expose one. If we were to treat all undercover agents as criminals guess we should send our war spies to prison... As well as people documenting abuse in homes for the aged and daycare centers. No, to point any accusatory fingers at the messenger is cowardly and unjust! Thank you MFA you have my full support in all your efforts!
Laura
Report AbuseLaura Farrell RN says: I also found the video extremely hard to watch; however, I found it very educational. I never knew where my food came from, or how the animals were treated. In a country like the US where we pamper our pets, I assumed we treated farm animals humanely. I was soooo disappointed to learn the truth. That being said, I have changed my life and my thinking on this subject. I will never buy another animal product until the industry changes. I am a registered nurse and my eyes were opened to the disgusting unsanitary conditions on factory farms and IMO these places are a huge health risk. why would anyone want less rather than more transparency in regards to how their food is processed? e.coli salmonella MRSA? do we really want to be eating these diseases because of the filth? we need more transparency not less.
laura
Report Abusehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWSTZGMIk8
Chuck
Report AbuseTom, Take a deep breath now and stop hyperventilating and shouting. You're clearly so wrapped up in your own misinformed beliefs that you're unable to discuss this issue rationally. Maybe that's why you paint the entire ag industry with the same broad brush you accuse us of using. BTW, Cattlenetwork posted your comment.
Brandi Buzzard
Report AbuseRunkle interviewed with Trent Loos shortly after the video was released and in that interview he said that his employee participated as there was no other form of euthanasia available. Read: the videographer participated. I believe E6's owner and the employees who participated should be prosecuted, including the videographer - the animal care at the farm is inexcusable and overwhelmingly cruel. I've read many statements from anti-agriculturalists who state that a police officer in a drug sting isn't prosecuted but engages in illegal acts regularly. The difference between an undercover videographer and a undercover cop in a drug ring is that the police officer is a paid government agent. A videographer is not. They are not exempt from prosecution just because they blew the whistle. Regardless of intention, participation is still punishable.
Chuck is dead-on when he disagrees with the MFA belief that "non-human animals are irreplaceable individuals with morally significant interests."
Cody, You'll have to ask Mr. Runkle if he was a vegetarian or an activist first. It does make a difference in how they're positioned. I led with that comment because the largest organization in animal welfare tries to hide the vegetarianism of their leadership. I commend MFA for being upfront about an important part of their philosophy. AVMA, NCBA, AMI and every other animal ag group have issued statements abhorring this kind of mistreatment and all have written statements on the books condemning abuse.
Dave
Report AbuseYou don't have to be interested in vegetarianism to believe that institutionalized cruelty is wrong. Thank you for sharing this interview. I hope MFA continues to uncover these terrible practices until Congress gets off its butt and passes legislation requiring humane treatment of farm animals.
Bea Ⓥ Elliott
Report AbuseSo Brandi - If someone investigates a home for the aged or a day care... Or even an "illegal act" within the government - You think they ought to suffer consequences equal to the original perpetrator? I don't think Water-Gate would have ever happened... Those were "just" journalists. Or the countless reforms accomplished in nursing homes, hospitals, foster care homes, etc. If we make it a crime to investigate corruption that's lets a lot of bad guys get away scott-free... Yes?
Jenn
Report AbuseBea - you're ridiculous. Nobody likes you.
Ariel Nessel
Report AbuseI appreciate the fact that this publication interviewed Mr. Runkle in an unbiased manner, something I would not have expected from a website called"Cattle Network". I imagine a large percentage of your readership, if they look deep in their own hearts, have at various times questioned the standard industry practices which cause physical and mental pain to creatures that have done nothing to deserve it. Many of you have at sometime in your life made the connection that a cow, pig, lamb, or even a chicken, have the same primal desires as the pets you relate to as family. It must be very difficult to find yourself in a livelihood that over time has accepted practices that are more and more cruel in order to improve the bottom line. I wish each of you strength to rediscover your innate kindness, and offer it to those most at your mercy.
Lisa
Report AbuseThere are people who are simply concerned citizens who support animal rights groups. Not everyone is even a vegetarian. Some of us just want factory farming to end. I might eat animals but source my food from a small farmer. I also donate my money to animal rights organizations. I choose to do this because I really don't want anyone else to play with my food before it gets to my table. I especially don't like people who have no regard for animals tending to them. There's absolutely no excuse to torture or brutalize an animal just because it's not human.
Robbie
Report AbuseI just think we as americans judge things to quickly and let few and far between instances make up our mind on subjects we know nothing about. I do admit what happen at that calf ranch is wrong, but after growing up on a farm and working in the industry for many years, this is not how farms in the majority work. This is our livelyhood and how we survive and raise a family. I promise you if all farms acted in this same way or companies they would be out of business. So I ask you look into it more before you make an opinion and talk to local farmers and get their opinion on the matter before you make a descision about the food you eat. I would be happy to answer any questions anyone would have because love to give you a different point of view
Janet Weeks
Report AbuseRobbie, if everything were all sunshine, lollipops, and roses in animal agriculture, why do you suppose that lawmakers in Florida, Iowa, and Minnesota have introduced bills that would criminalize whistle blower activities? What is it about animal factories they are so desperately trying to hide? I'll tell you what it is: Industrial animal agriculture is not a pretty picture--in fact it's a hideous picture of animal abuse, animals packed in ungodly small crates and cages, enduring a lifetime of intense suffering, body mutilations, forced body violations (artificial insemination), drugs, filth, putrid air, and horrific, premature death. If Americans knew what really goes on in animal factories and slaughterhouses, as only undercover investigations can or will show, they would never buy the products. We're sick and tired of being lied to.
Robbie
Report AbuseJanet: If life was all sunshine lollipops and whatever else everything would be much easier. Why are you so against animal agriculture? I have worked in so called factory farms and it was nothing like you say. Have you ever seen sows in a pen togeher they brutilize each other and weaker ones are killed is that treatment humanely? I believe you have not been to a packing plant or a bigger farm because you would be surprised. Packing plants are designed to be as humanley and clean as they possibly can be, but I know you will not understand you have your own opinon and its fine, but I do not think you have gave animal agriculture a fair enough chance and are just seeing it one sided, like I said I would be gladly to discuss our side of the fence, but I dont think you would even listen.
Janet Weeks
Report AbuseRobbie, I am listening. What sort of animals do you raise as food animals? Could you take me through the life of one of your animals from the moment of birth through the process of death? Let's assume this was a male animal. Please provide as much detail as possible and leave nothing out. I'd like to know if the animal's body was disfigured in any way, such as tail-docking or ear-tagging or teeth or beak "trimming" or horn removal or castration or branding, and whether anesthesia was used for any of those procedures. What was the purpose of the body mutilations? How old was the animal when he was taken from his mother and how long did he enjoy the company of siblings. Did he ever experience sunshine on his shoulders or was he ever allowed to run free and play? I'd like to know what happened after the baby was taken from his mother and where the baby was kept. Was he given a name or a number? Was the animal fed antibiotics to keep him healthy or to rapidly grow to market weight? What else was he fed? While he was growing to market weight, did he have anything to do other than eat, sleep, and lie down? Was he ever allowed to mate? Did he live his entire life in one place or many? How was he moved from place to place? Did he ride in a truck or rail car? How old was he when he was killed? How did he get to the slaughter house? What happened next? Was he rendered senseless before he was killed? Are you sure? Was he shackled and hung upside down as he bled out? Finally, why do lawmakers in Florida, Iowa, and Minnesota want to hide all of these things and to criminalize whistle blower activities in and around animal factories? I would greatly appreciate answers to ALL of these questions. Please spare no detail, no matter how small. Birth through death. The life of one male animal. I am listening.
Chuck
Report AbuseJanet, you seem to have a lot of questions for someone who has already made up her mind. Not sure how you can be so sure of your position if you don't know anything about what Robbie is saying. Might I guess that your mind is already made up - damn the facts, full speed ahead - and you're just trying to start an argument with him? I don't think you would be listening. . but go ahead, prove me wrong.
Dina
Report AbuseREAD THE mOB ARTICLE AT WWW.HSUSSUCKS.COM THEN CONNECT THE DOTS TO MERCY FOR ANIMALS