Allegations of animal abuse at Maine farm

(NECN: Marnie MacLean) - *Warning this report contains graphic images* An animal welfare organization is urging grocery stores across New England to stop buying eggs from an egg farm in Maine. The group says it found evidence of animal cruelty inside that egg farm in Turner. This is the view inside one of the 64 barns at Maine Contract Farming in Turner, Maine. Home to more than three million egg laying hens that produce more than 20 million eggs each week. Last December, an undercover investigator with Mercy For Animals worked here for six weeks, documenting what he saw. Nathan Runkle--Exec. Dir. Mercy for Animals "During that time he documented case after case of animal neglect, abuse and callous attitude of employees and supervisors towards the birds." The group says this video shows an employee grabbing a sick bird and then spinning it by its neck---an attempt to euthanize the hen--but it survives, and is then kicked into the manure pile. The investigator says he also saw 49 living hens thrown into trash cans with dead birds.....and other dead hens left to decompose next to hens still laying eggs. Nathan Runkle "I think anyone that sees the video and sees the deplorable conditions of dead birds left to rot would have concerns about food safety." This farm has a history of problems, in 1996 when it operated as Decoster egg farms, fined millions for mistreating workers....other fines have followed, but this is the first time there have been allegations of animal abuse." Bob LeClerc--Compliance Manager "What this report showed was improper and abhorrent, not something we tolerate or see very often" Bob LeClerc, compliance manager for Maine Contract Farming, a company still affiliated with the Decoster family, says these are isolated incidents, not a systemic problem. Still, as a result, changes are being made. Bob: "We started looking at procedures and retraining yesterday afternoon, and will look at it for the rest of the week...to make sure what we are doing is correct and understandable." The state is now involved too, on Wednesday agricultre officials executed a search warrant at the farm, removing birds and other evidence. The case will be turned over to the Franklin County District Attorney's office. Mercy For Animals is now urging supermarket chains to stop carrying eggs from the farm. The group hopes its investigation will lead to changes in the law to protect these birds, and perhaps change how consumers buy their eggs.