Illegal 'ag gag' in effect in Colorado as woman who shot undercover footage of abused calves is hit with cruelty charges

COLORADO -- An investigation into a cattle company near Kersey has led to several people being cited for animal abuse, including the animal activist who turned video footage of the alleged abuse over to authorities.

Taylor Radig, who has been associated with animal rights organization Compassion Over Killing, worked as a temporary employee at Quanah Cattle Co. near Kersey from mid-July to September 2013.

During that time, Radig filmed hours of alleged cattle abuse at the company and turned her videos into the Weld County Sheriff’s Office two months after she stopped working there, according to a WCSO news release.

When talking to investigators, Radig referred to herself as a “contractor” for the nonprofit animal advocacy organization, which is based in Washington, D.C.

By not reporting the alleged abuse in a timely manner, Radig was seen as negligent and cited for animal cruelty, a Class 1 misdemeanor. She’s also believed to have participated in the cattle abuse incidents reported to the sheriff’s office, the news release said.

Three suspects from Quanah Cattle Co. have also been contacted, interviewed and issued summons for animal cruelty charges.

In a post on Compassion Over Killing’s website, the organization says an “undercover investigator” associated with Compassion Over Killing “worked inside” Quanah Cattle Company, producing footage of calves being “violently dragged by their legs, pulled by their ears, lifted by their tails, kicked, thrown, slammed, and flipped” while being moved off trucks.

In a response to the animal abuse charge against Radig, Erica Meier, the executive director of Compassion Over Killing, called the action against Radig “unsupported by the law,” and a “shoot-the-messenger strategy aimed at detracting attention away from the crimes of those who actually abused animals.”

“The Weld County Sheriff’s Office has chosen to retaliate against the individual who witnessed, documented and reported the callous mistreatment of newborn calves,” Meier said in an email.

“Merely witnessing others abusing animals is not a crime, and our investigator (Radig) was working cooperatively with local authorities on this case prior to this baseless accusation.”

The facility is owned by J.D. Heiskell & Co. of Tulare, Calif. J.D. Heiskell’s board chairman, Scot Hillman, said in a written statement the company was dismayed by the video and is cooperating with authorities.
“Both J.D. Heiskell and Quanah expect the proper and humane treatment of animals handled at the Quanah facility. We are in the process of investigating to determine the facts of this situation,” the statement said. The company plans to improve training and supervision, according to its statement.
Kersey is east of Greeley in Weld County.

(The Coloradoan - Nov 22, 2013)

Earlier:

• Three ugly slugs who abused baby cows charged with animal cruelty