New Mexico: Chaves Co. dairy workers charged after undercover cow abuse video

NEW MEXICO -- Four dairy workers have been charged with animal cruelty in connection to an animal activist group's undercover video showing the abuse of cows  at Winchester Dairy in Chaves County last fall.

According to court documents, Cesar Morales-Iniguez and Stephen Toublefield are each facing three counts, Luis Urbie Lira is facing two counts and Jesus Espinoza is charged with one count of animal cruelty.

"Mercy for Animals," the group behind the video, says an undercover investigator filmed workers punching, kicking, whipping and even shocking cows' genitals. The group also filmed workers dragging cows with tractors.

Mercy for Animals said the Winchester Dairy cows were denied veterinary care.

The dairy fired all employees and identified the alleged offenders in the video to law enforcement, according to the Associated Press.

Winchester Dairy produces milk for Leprino Foods, the world's largest producer of mozzarella cheese and a supplier to major pizza chains like Pizza Hut and Domino's.

Last Monday, Leprino Foods announced a new animal welfare policy for its dairy suppliers.

By Dec. 31, 2016, all suppliers must keep a safe and sanitary environment, provide pain relief during disbudding/dehorning and give appropriate veterinary care to animals.

(KOB 4 Albuquerque - Apr 30, 2015)

Electrocuted Puppy Dies After Being Abandoned in Norwich

CONNECTICUT -- Veterinarians made every effort to save her, but a 7- or 8-week-old puppy called Belle died Monday after she was found electrocuted and abandoned under a bush in Norwich over the weekend, according to animal control.

Norwich Animal Control wrote on Facebook that a resident called to report strange noises coming from under her bushes. Those noises turned out to be Belle, who was rushed to the vet and given a 50-50 chance of survival.

"She was very thin and her breathing was extremely labored. After seeing the Emergency Vet in Bolton, the best guess is that Belle either chewed on an electrical cord and was dumped after she sustained injuries, or something far more sinister," the CT Animal House posted on Facebook on Saturday.

The CT Animal House took the puppy to the Bolton Veterinary Hospital for 24-hour care, and animal control solicited donations to help cover the cost of Belle's medical expenses.

Unfortunately, Belle didn't make it.

"Poor little Belle passed away this afternoon after having multiple seizures and could not be brought back," the CT Animal House posted Monday afternoon.

Animal control is still looking for donations to help pay for Belle's care. Donations can be made online to the CT Animal House or mailed to Norwich Animal Control at the following address:

The Sunny Fund
Attn: ACO Michele
70 Thames Street
Norwich, CT 06360

(NBC Connecticut - April 13, 2015)

Tortured coyote pup found last summer in Santa Maria, released back into the wild

CALIFORNIA -- The abused baby coyote rescued last summer in Santa Maria is now living back in the wild. It was released Sunday after months of recuperation.

The pup was found by a plumber in an alleyway back in late July according the Animal Rescue Team in Solvang. Electrical cord was wrapped tightly around the animal's neck and arms and it's believed the coyote was tortured with an electrical shock.

It underwent surgery in August to fix a fractured and infected jaw.

On Sunday, Sierra—as the pup was called by its rescuers—was released along with another coyote at a private ranch in Santa Barbara County.

Julia Di Sieno is the executive director of the rescue team. She says the recent rains aided in the release.

"We kept him a little longer, which cost us a lot more in funding," said Di Sieno. "But, it was worth it because now they have water pools and lots of greenery out there."

(KCBX - Dec 22, 2014)